On August 3rd to 6th 2017, there is only one place to be, the Bridge Rats Rat Pack Rally. Our annual MCC rally, now in its thirteenth year is a gathering of like minded people celebrating classic and contemporary rock, in a music festival atmosphere while bringing you Live Music, Real Ale and Good Times. Our annual Rat Pack Rally has a unique philosophy. It is a bike rally with a festival atmosphere that is designed for bike and rock fans, by bike and rock fans. Our aim is to create the ultimate rally with a festival experience. Our Rat Pack Rally also has a great location at Heath Rugby Club in Halifax, Yorkshire – close to the M62 which is easily accessible from all major routes and surrounded by beautiful English countryside. In addition, we offer the very best in food and drink, including our own mini beer festival. Camping accommodation is available in the Rugby Club grounds. All Day Music & DJ - Games - Competitions - World Food Stalls - Rally Merch Stall - Gifts, Fashion, Arts, Crafts & Equipment Stalls - Live Bands - Real Ale - Venue Bar - Marquee Bar - Rock DJ & Disco - Dedicated Camping Area and Recycling Zones all within a Secure Venue with provided toilets and shower facilities.

No wonder the Rat Pack Rally is described by our previous attendees as: “the best established summer bike rally in Yorkshire”. The first Rat Pack Rally, in 2003, provided so many great memories and we aim to make new ones for 2017. We are busy securing an outstanding line-up of great acts from around the country, but to keep you entertained to the max at all times, our very own rock DJ will be airing a huge range of classic rock tracks playing all day, every day. Get your track request in, a beer in your hand and let's hope the sun shines! More bands for Friday Night, the 4th August are TBC. Keep checking back regularly for updates. More bands for Saturday Night, the 5th August are TBC. Our Rat Pack Rally tickets are available now! Thursday-Sunday Extended VIP tickets are just £18 Friday-Sunday Weekend tickets are just £15. Get yours by using the ticket buttons to purchase via PayPal. [Pay on the gate price Thursday £20, Friday & Saturday £18]

This year we are using a PayPal ticket system. Once you have purchased your tickets with PayPal, print and keep your PayPal receipt somewhere safe. Bring your receipt with you to the Rat Pack Rally where it will be exchanged for your chosen rally pass at the entrance on completion of the required registration at the check in booth. Please note there is a 50p admin charge on all Paypal tickets. Please send a Self Addressed Envelope with your preferred ticket type and quantity plus a cheque for the correct and full amount made payable to: Bridge Rats MCC : 15 Calton Grove, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD21 1BD Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the Bridge Rats MCC by subscribing to our newsletter. Simply enter your email address below, click subscribe and wait a few moments for your confirmation email. Bridge Rats MCC - Hebden Bridge - Yorkshire Bridge Rats MCC was founded in 1993; steadfast in its origins to the bohemian market town of Hebden Bridge;

also known as the ‘Hebden Bridge Rats’ or simply ‘Bridge Rats’. The Club patch represents the old Packhorse Bridge located in the centre of Hebden Bridge that dates back to 1510. The ‘Rat’ which is sat proudly above is a version of a ‘desert rat’ as ‘Chappy’s’ father was a serviceman in the 7th Armoured Brigade in WW2. In the 1960s, John ‘Chappy’ Chapman who was to become the ‘Hebden Bridge Rats’ president formed a club called the ’51 Club’ that was rocker based and had 12 members. suzuki motorcycle dealers in kingstonAnother club, the Mytholmroyd Motor Cycle Club had met intermittently at the Woodman Inn on Halifax Road in Charlestown for many years until 1988.maxey motorcycle trailer for sale Built circa 1902, the Woodman Inn was a large public house situated in a detached position at the end of a terrace named Pleasant View. motorcycle accessories shop in taipei

The terrace destined to become the large car park for the Woodman Inn was demolished by the council in the late 1960s after becoming neglected and reputedly ‘Rat’ infested! In 1988, an advert was placed in the local paper about a new motorbike rally club starting in the Calder valley that brought about the formation of the Charlestown based Calder Valley MCC. The new club went to rally's and bike runs and grew bigger and bigger, but sadly the club was not doing what ‘Chappy’ thought it should be, so in 1993 he and some of it’s members left to form their own club.motorcycle store in hickory nc This breakaway group that was soon to become the ‘Hebden Bridge Rats’ began to hold their own meetings at the New Delight Inn at Jack Bridge near Hebden Bridge, to discuss and promote bike rally attendance (for the summer event?). motorbike shop blenheim

However, just eighteen months later, the Calder Valley MCC became defunct and the New Delight Inn closed its doors, prompting the now established ‘Hebden Bridge Rats’ to relocate to their old meeting place at the Woodman Inn. The ‘Rats’ had finally claimed the Woodman Inn securing a place to set down their bikes, hold meetings for charity events, organise tours for both the UK and abroad and hold events like bonfire parties and motorcycle shows. motorbike shop blenheimWord spread like wildfire about the club which rapidly expanded over the next few years.motorcycle shop glendora In 2000, the Woodman Inn closed its doors for the final time leaving the Bridge Rats to relocate. The ‘Rats’ maintained presence on the main road through Hebden Bridge by moving to the Stubbing Wharf Hotel.

With the expanding membership the ‘Rats’ soon began to collect turnout awards at the larger rallies throughout England and Scotland, with the ‘Hebden Bridge Rats’ patch being recognised throughout the worldwide biking community. The 'Rats' moved again, this time to Big D’s Diner and Bar for a short period of time with a final move to the Shoulder of Mutton in the centre of Hebden Bridge, where you can find them on most Tuesday evenings to this day. Bridge Rats are fun loving party animals as well as being loyal to the core with an easy going attitude of Live to Ride for Club and Honour. We’re always looking for new ideas to benefit the club and also just for fun. Our policy is, if a member has an idea they can openly bring it to the club, and with approval it will be put it into motion, with the whole hearted support and assistance of all the other club members. The Bridge Rats, Rat Pack Rally - After having visited hundreds of rallies and being involved with other clubs from all over the country for many years, the ‘Rats’ decided it was time to take the leap and host their own summer event.

In 2003, the now highly successful, annual Rat Pack Rally was born which is hosted at Heath Rugby Club near Halifax in Yorkshire. The ‘Rats’ host two rock nights every year with the first taking place in March. What better way to shake off the winter blues than with a hedonistic mash up of like minded people mixed with booze and great music to while away this post winter social event. Our next night takes place in 'Rocktober', which is perfect for topping up your social calendar after a busy summer partying from events like our Rat Pack Rally. Further details and dates for both these nights will be available nearer the time. You can stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter, revisiting our website regularly and joining our Facebook page. The Bridge Rats annual ‘Maggot Run’ is a Bank Holiday weekend camping and bonding bike run that takes its members on a treasure hunt covering around 100 miles per day. Teams of 4 are assembled to venture out with the task of completing challenges that could literally see them ending up anywhere!