About Our Club
The National Club
The Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain
(H-DRCGB) was established in 1949 when a few likeminded riders got together in the White Lion pub in Surrey. Now, over 70 years later it has become a national club with a membership of over 2,200 across this green and pleasant land and correspondents worldwide.
Unlike some Harley clubs we also include Buells, the Aermacchi HDs of the seventies and the MT series too. So, it’s not all just big twins and ape hangers, but we have that too.
There are regions of the Club throughout the Country with meetings most weeks. It’s a great way to pass some time and get to know the like-minded people in your area. This will then springboard into ride-outs some weekends and then also a full programme of rallies throughout the summer. We encourage everyone to come along and meet us in person, club member or not. There is always a warm welcome reserved for new faces and old wherever and whoever you are.
Region 17, South East
The national club is divided into geographical regions and Kent is covered by region 17, South East.
Each region has an elected representative, aided by assistant representatives.
The current ‘Rep’ for Region 17 is
Rob Smith.
Region 17 South East History
(courtesy of Gypsy Morgan, first published 2013)
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For many years region 17 was tied either with Sussex ,Essex and East London.
17 Was also the region number for East London until becoming vacant around 1989.
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Also vacant at that time was region 18 which was South Downs soon to become Sussex Coasters. As an aside East London were not amused at region 17 taking their number when vacant so became region 69 around 1990.
Around late 1989 Region 17 as we now know it appears on the Club map, meeting at the Hook and Hatchet, Hucking and The Frog and Bucket, Ide Hill nr Sevenoaks.
1990-91 saw Tony James becoming Regional rep (and some 35 years later Tony remains a very active member to this day, along with his family).
Meetings back then were at King William the IV, Union Street Canterbury and the Frog and Bucket.
A camping weekend was held at The Share and Coulter pub near Greenhill 8th and 9th August 1992, all usual activities were on offer and the price then was £5 members/£6 non members!
Tony (alongside wife laura) remained Rep until 93-94 when they had a serious accident ,from then on Bear, with Bob as his assistant took over and organised the 1st Indoor Harley show and Rally at the Crest nightclub and Little grove holiday camp Isle of Sheppey.
Ago's Harley shop of Cornwall sponsored the show along with the Crest nightclub.
1995 when the region had the indoor show:
Mr Paul parslow presented the prizes...
Guess the cake weight ,Del boy
3 County borders best attendance
Best Flat head (71 Servicar) Amanda King
Lightweight; 350 Tracey Lee
Sporster xr1000...Split pin
Best Big twin; Panhead...Harpic
Best in show: ShovelHead ...Bootsy
In this year the region raised £2,277 for the Trauma Unit at Kent and Canterbury hospital, where Tony and Laura had been treated.
Bear remained Rep up until 2000, during which time the region held several other Rallies and bike shows on the Isle of Sheppey. Sadly Bear died in February 2002 a great loss to all that knew him and the Club.
Tony and Amanda King were now reps 2000-2004 and had a rally in 2003, also Tony got the region involved with the bike shows at Chatham Dockyard. The south east motorcycle shows at Detling, and a few camping weekends.
Big Al became rep in Sept 2003 and along with Rallies on the Isle of Sheppey at the Rugby Club, and Football Club as well as the South east motorcycle show at Detling plus the Steam fair.
Big Al was involved with supporting the Wind and Fire shows at Grizzly's Folkestone,the first being 2005 . Also the Christmas parties were then still held at Layzells every December. At this time Chris Long and Vince James, Pete Stupple were assistant reps. 2009-2010 saw Sue Manning as Rep and Chris Long and myself as assistants. Then 2010-2013 Kev Bolden was Rep and Little Bill and myself as assistant reps. The region held another Rally at Ashford Rugby Club. That about brings everything up to date (c.2013), the region has been very active over the years and lots of riders have attended many Super Rally's across Europe and also supported the various regional rallies. Many assorted ride outs and trips get organised and even Garage Party's to help each other with bike repair build jobs.