BIKERS from across the world will be heading for the heart of Warwickshire for this year’s Bulldog Bash starting on Thursday.
After making the decision to take a year off in 2013, the festival made a successful and peaceful return to Long Marston Airfield near Stratford last year.
Now on a smaller scale and returning to its roots as an old-school bike show, organisers said they were looking forward to welcoming festival-goers once again.
The Bulldog Bash, which has been held at the airfield since 1987, has raised thousands of pounds for local charities over the years but hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in 2007 following the murder of Hells Angel Gerry Tobin, who was shot while riding home from the festival on the M40.
Seven members of the rival Outlaws biker gang were subsequently jailed and Warwickshire Police – who have long been against the event – massively stepped up their operation in the years following the incident.
Although the event has passed largely without incident since Mr Tobin’s death, the force have unsuccessfully attempted to get the Bash’s licence revoked by Stratford District Council on numerous occasions.
The event was granted a ten year licence in 2008, which currently permits an audience of up to 10,000.
The event is scheduled to start at 2pm on Thursday August 6 and to finish at noon on Sunday August 9.
A contact number has been issued by Bash organisers for local residents in the event of any complaints – 07470 799148.
