The 26th annual Carol Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show takes place this weekend at the Staffordshire County Showground.

Over 900 traders will be displaying their goods alongside the many autojumble stalls outside on the showground with their packed displays of spare parts, tools, magazines and all types of machines requiring restoration.

If you can’t find that much sought after part for your restoration project at Stafford, then it probably doesn’t exist.

The Wall of Death show is also attending. Watching the riders performing on their vintage Indian Scout machines on the 20ft-high wall just inches from the top just has to be seen to be believed.

Race enthusiasts are well catered for too. The Classic Racer GP paddock on the south end of the halls has again attracted some of the world’s most exotic racing machines.

Former TT star Steve Plater will be interviewing the proud owners prior to them being fired up to the delight of the crowd.

Nearby, the owners of the showground have updated and renovated all the indoor space, which will now be packed with competition bikes and road going models of every age size and marque.

Exotic machines from yesteryear will be amongst the many club stands on the main floor and balconies.

The Vintage motorcycle Club, the Vintage Japanese Club and specialist owners clubs, covering makes such as Norton, BSA, Francis Barnett, Sunbeam etc, are all represented.

Being a self-confessed Suzuki man, I’ll be hanging around the ‘Suzuki Village’ marquee situated near the Wall of Death, looking at the many Suzuki owners clubs’ displays and machines.

Barry Sheene’s 1967 and 1977 World Championship-winning RG500 Suzukis will again be on display for the fans

Back inside the halls, the Bonham Auction, which attracts sellers and buyers from all over the world, will be taking place.

Amongst the many machines up for auction are a Brough Superior and a 1949 Series C Vincent Rapide, so don’t forget your cheque book.

Included in this year’s sale is a chance to buy a rare 18-carat gold Carrera 1158 watch presented to the late, great Mike Hailwood. A similar one sold recently for £87,000 - I think I`ll pass on that one.

The guest of honour this year is ten-time World Sidecar champion Steve Webster, who will be doing on-stage interviews with Steve Plater.

Over 30,000 visitors attended last year, so you’d be well advised to get there early. Gates open at 9:30am on both days.

Adult tickets on the gate are £16 with children under-15 free. The venue is well signed from junction 14 on the M6 .

*Two members of the Furness British Motorcycle Club made the long haul to northern Spain last week to take part in the Columbres Classic Motorcycle Rally, which tales place in and around the picturesque village of Columbres.

The annual event is open to owners of machines manufactured prior to 1988.

Dalton’s Mark Newsome, who has built up a successful business restoring and manufacturing many of the obsolete parts for the Velocette marque, and self-confessed British Bike enthusiast Pete Walker from Stainton took part in the five-day rally.

The competitors covered some breathtaking routes of around 150 miles per day between the mountains of the Picos des Europe and the Cantabrian sea.

The rally hosted the usual auto jumbles and classic bike displays, with a closed road speed hill climb on the closing Saturday and a classic scramble on the Sunday.

*Tomorrow, local members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch are holding another of their fundraising events.

This time, they will be set up indoors up at the Portland Walk end of Barrow Market Hall.

They can often be seen during the summer months supporting various charities here in the North West and further afield, promoting the Poppy Appeal.

They`ll again have various poppy-related merchandise on display, including the crochet poppies made by Helen Scarr Evans and her team, which always prove popular.

They also have the Tombola, Raffle, and a couple of their motorcycles on display sporting Royal British Legion regalia for visitors to look at.

Over the last couple of years, the group have raised over £4,000 for the Poppy Appeal ,attending local functions and gala days. If you’re free, pop into the market and support this worthy cause.

*The Cumbrian branches of the Motorcycle Action Group held their Annual General Meeting recently at the Egremont Catholic Club.

During the evening, Mandy Marsden, a stalwart of the Barrow branch, was presented with the Member of the Year award by Mike Armstrong, the MAG Cumbria rep (picture by Rajeev Sood).

It was awarded to Mandy in recognition of her commitment as branch treasurer and for her work as secretary of the Dead End Rally at the Dalton United football ground at Beckside Road every year.

Last year, the Furness branch raised £2,200 from the rally and it was donated to the MAG fighting fund, which is used to try and get a better deal for motorcyclists in general.

Charity raffles, ride outs and fun nights etc also raised further £700, which was divided between the Air Ambulance services, The RNLI and The Blood Bike Group.