Event: Stormin the Castle

Bike rally and custom show. Camping, bands, booze, showers, traders, caterers. All profits to the Motorcycle Action Group.

About Stormin'
Stormin’ is organised by a group of bikers, all of whom are rally-goers themselves.

The organising committee are a group of twelve people from various walks of life who get together from February each year to organise the rally which takes place over the weekend following the August Bank Holiday.

None of the committee receives any payment for their work, not even any compensation for giving up a week, two weeks for some, of their annual leave when they need to be on-site in order to build up and take down the event. Stormin’ has no offices, no employees and meetings are held in someone’s house.

Stormin’ The Castle Ltd is a company registered with Companies House. The company was set up in order to protect the organisers from any financial liability should the rally make a serious loss. The profits from the rally are given to the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) in order to finance its campaigns against anti-motorcycle legislation such as the compulsory wearing of day-glo clothing and anti-tampering legislation.

So why do we put on the event for no personal gain? The answer is simple really, the rally was started by a group of North East MAG members who wanted to raise money for MAG but also to put on a good party for bikers whether they were MAG members or not.

The event has continued in that tradition ever since and when the Company was formed it was written into its Memorandum of Association that ‘no portion (of the income) shall be paid…… to members of the company (and no member of its Board shall be appointed to any office…. paid by salary or fees or receive any remuneration…. from the Company). Therefore the event is run by volunteers.

As well as the organising committee, each year over one hundred people turn up to help build-up, run and take down the event, without these dedicated volunteers the event simply would not take place so please treat these people with the respect they deserve if you need to speak to them, a cheerful wave as you are leaving is really appreciated by our marshals. I once asked the Committee Members why they continued to work to keep the event going. The general synopsis was that they all loved the event and wanted it to continue.

People also said that they enjoyed going to other rallies so if nobody was willing to organise them the rally scene just wouldn’t exist. Also I think we all get a ‘buzz’ out of building up the event starting with an empty field and ending up with the equivalent of a small town then seeing everyone arrive, have a good weekend then leave with a friendly wave on the Sunday. Then we can get on with the bit we all hate – taking it all down and putting it away for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE SITE ADDRESS?

Stormin' The Castle
Witton Castle Country Park
Near Bishop Auckland
Co Durham
DL14 0DE

OPENING TIMES

What time does the rally start?

The rally opens at 9am on the Friday & you will be able to access the camping fields only.

What times does the Show Field open?

The Show Field will open at 12:00 noon on the Friday.

Can I camp on Thursday night?

No, gates open 9am Friday.

TICKETS

Can I buy a rally ticket on the gate?

Only if you are on a bike or trike

Do children need tickets?

Children under 5 get in free. Children aged 5-15 pay £10.

Tickets are available On-Line and via the Post

However an adult with a pre-booked ticket can buy a child's ticket on the gate.

Do you do day tickets?

Yes, for Saturday only. They are pre-book only and are available through the PO Box or On-line.

PRE-BOOKING CLOSING DATES

On-line: Midday 21st August 2019 NB this includes weekend tickets & Saturday day tickets.

Post: 10th August 2019 NB this includes disabled car permits & Saturday day tickets.

Bike Shops: 29th Aug 2019 NB for adult ticket sales, cash only.

CARS

Does the car permit include camping and admission to the rally?

The Car Permit does NOT include camping and admission to the rally

Additional Adult/Child tickets MUST to be bought at this point or at least PRIOR to the rally for those travelling with you.

IMPORTANT : No tickets will be available on the gate for those arriving in a car or on foot. Make sure all passengers have a pre-booked ticket

Can I buy a car permit on the gate?

No, they are pre-book only and will not be available after the cut off date.

Can I buy a car permit through the PO Box?

No, the numbers are strictly limited and selling them through one source enables us to keep a close check on numbers.

Can I bring a caravan with my car or arrive in a motorhome?

Our car permits are for car parking only. Witton Castle usually open the touring field over the duration of the rally, where you could park your caravan and car/motorhome however they will charge you a fee for this, you still need to buy rally ticket from us. They can be contacted on 01388 488230 for more information.

IMPORTANT : No tickets will be available on the gate for those arriving in a car or on foot. Make sure all passengers have a pre-booked ticket

Can I be dropped off by a friend/taxi?

Yes, the drop off point will be indicated to you when you arrive on site. The vehicle must not be left unattended-it is simply a case of unload & the car departs.

Could I park nearby then walk to the site?

No, we advise you to buy a car permit or get dropped off at the site. Any cars parked near the site, which are causing an obstruction, are liable to be towed by the police. Witton Castle may tow away cars which are parked on their own land without authorisation.

DISABLED ACCESS

Can I bring my car?

Disabled car parking is free, but must be pre-booked through the PO Box by the cut off date. See above in ‘CARS’ re caravans & motorhomes.

Where can I camp?

Disabled camping is located next to the main gate, the allocated space is for one vehicle (small car or van only) and one tent.

Do we need to pre-book tickets?

Yes, the blue badge holder and all passengers in the car will require pre-booked tickets. They can be ordered through the PO Box at the same time as you pre-book your car permit. Cut off date is 10th August 2019.

Should I bring my blue badge?

Yes, your blue badge will have to be displayed on the dash when you park up on site.

STORMIN’ PRODUCTS

When is the products tent open?

Friday: Open 12:00

Saturday: Open 10:00

Sunday: Open 09:00

Can I buy after the rally?

No, Stormin' product will only be available on the weekend of the rally

BIKE SHOW

Does the bike have to be ridden on site?

Yes, all bikes must be road legal and ridden onto the site.

Do I have to pre-book to enter the bike show?

No, just arrive on the day. See the Bike Show page for all the latest information.

CAMPING

Carry Nowt Camping

For information about booking a pre-erected please contact Jake on 07760279905.

ALCOHOL

Can I bring my own beer?

We would prefer you to support the bars on site. Your ticket fee just about covers the cost of running the rally. We rely on bar profits to raise the donation to MAG.

No slabs of alcohol are to be brought in by car. We will stop you bringing it on site.

Please for the sake of all our tyres and the wildlife don't bring glass bottles.

Slabs of beer will be available to buy on-site from Honest Jim (near the main gate).

Can I bring bottles with me?

No. The land is used for animals at other times of the year. You will be asked to decant your drinks from glass bottles

GENERAL

Unlicensed Vehicles / Mini Motos

No unlicensed vehicles may be brought onto site, this includes Mini Motos. We don't want to stop anyone having fun, but if you damage someone’s property while riding/driving an unlicensed vehicle you will end up in a sticky situation.

Can I arrive as a pedestrian?

Yes, but only if you have a pre-booked ticket.

Can I bring my dog?

No, animals are not allowed on the site.

Can I bring a gazebo?

Yes, as long as it doesn't obstruct fire-breaks and access roads. Communal gazebos are becoming more popular and reduce the amount of camping space for individual tents. We reserve the right to clear space if necessary.

What happens if I break my wristband?

Come straight to the main gate cabin, with your broken wrist band.

What happens if all the "on the gate" tickets are sold?

We will have to stop selling tickets and you won't be able to get in to the rally. Our licence stipulates the number of people we can have on site and if we break that number we may not get a licence next year. It is strongly advisable to pre-book as we have sold out in previous years.

No pre-booked ticket?

Ticket numbers are restricted. If there are any left after the pre-book cut off dates, they will be sold on the gate for £45.

NOTE: These are only available to those arriving on a bike or trike, NO pedestrian tickets will be available on the gate!

Web: https://www.storminthecastle.co.uk/

Submitted by: NorthernMan1968