Bikers treat care Moulton care home residents to doorstep rally

Two very different modes of transport could be seen side by side at the care home

Regulars at a pub have surprised residents at a local care home by staging a bike rally on their doorstep.

The licensee of the King Billy Rock Bar in Northampton and six of her customers took their machines to Ashurst Mews Care Homes in nearby Moulton.

The visit was the idea of a team member at the home who helps to run entertainment there.

Residents were clearly impressed by the bikes and were soon swapping stories with their owners.

Regulars at the bar have staged community events before but this was their first visit to a care home.

Licensee Rachel Nash said: "We were able to take some impressive Harley-Davidson and Yamaha bikes to the residents who could then spend time chatting to the bikers and everyone was sharing stories."

Some residents were brave enough to sit on the bikes

Ms Nash, who grew up around bikers, added: "We are a real pub family at the King Billy and the regulars who took part enjoyed it as much as those at Ashurst Mews."

The pub also runs other community initiatives, including an annual Santa Dash taking presents to local teenagers in care.

Residents were fascinated by the bikes and enjoyed talking to their owners

Ms Nash fears that such community events this are getting more difficult to stage because of the economic climate.

She said pubs needed the support of customers more than ever.

"People must visit and support their local pubs because it's more than a place where people drink," she said.

"Across the UK, local pubs will also be community hubs that do everything from food banks and fundraising nights to putting on free food for local grassroot sports clubs.

"The impact of a pub closing will be felt across the whole community."

The bikes attracted a lot of admirers at the care home

Des O'Flanagan, co-founder of PubAid, which highlights work done by pubs in the community, said: "Pubs raise more than £100m every year for charities as well as being at the heart of their community.

"Activities led by pubs, publicans and regulars just like the bike rally are taking place across the country every day but as more pubs face closure these will stop."