The York Rally Committee

The York Rally is an independent, volunteer run organisation, not affiliated to any national or local cycling club. It’s made up from cyclists who love the Rally and are not willing to see it fade away.

We are now incorporated as York Rally CIC, a Community Interest Company registered in the UK, company number 10647021.

Our inaugural meeting was held on Saturday 21st June 2014 to re-launch the York Rally for 2015. A committee was elected, and (after various changes at subsequent meetings) is as follows:

President:
2022-present: Dave Bishop, distinguished cycling coach and decades-long Rally supporter
2015-2022: The late Brian Robinson, the first Briton to finish the Tour de France and the first to win a Tour stage – as you can read here.

Chairman: Gerry Boswell
Event Co-ordinator: Paul Reid (organiser@yorkrally.org)
Treasurer: Rachel Thompson (treasurer@yorkrally.org)
Rides Co-ordinator: Yvonne Ramage (rides@yorkrally.org)
Trade Co-ordinator: Ian Alexander (trade@yorkrally.org)
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Julian Dyson (volunteers@yorkrally.org)
Publicity Officer & Vice Chairman: Peter Eland (publicity@yorkrally.org)

Committee Members:

  • Dave Bishop
  • Tony Stephenson (Auction)
  • Peter Huxford (Sustrans liaison, catering)
  • Michael Stainer & Peter Neumann (campsite team)
  • Gary Knighton
  • Barry Raynor
  • Charles Jepson (Saddlebag Sale and arena events)
  • Dave York & Dave Sharp (Event co-ordinator team)
  • Elisabeth Reid (Children’s activities)
  • Ian Prince (Quiz)
  • Chris Longbone, Dave Broadbent & Lee Porter (Retrobike team)

For general Rally enquiries, or if you are not sure which address to use, please send an email to info@yorkrally.org and it will reach several of the committee members automatically.

The Rally is an all-volunteer-organised event, and is being run not for profit and purely for the love of cycling and to see this great event continue.

For each Rally we need to raise a total of £20,000+ to cover the basic costs of the Rally (see the Friends page for more details) so the committee is clear that every penny counts, and no money can be spent that has not been raised. In this spirit committee members have agreed not to claim expenses (travel,  phones, stationary, postage, etc.).

We also have to make it clear that there are no ‘freebies’: any York Rally clothing worn by committee and volunteers is to be paid for by them personally. Both committee members and volunteers using the campsite are being asked to book pitches at the same prices as everyone else.

This lets us ensure that evey penny raised goes towards covering the unavoidable costs, including Knavesmire hire, insurance, showers, toilets, security, marquees, first aid, and much more.

All – especially anyone with ideas for the next Rally – are always welcome to attend meetings, or to contribute ideas!

Other cycling organisations who could use the almost unlimited space available on the Rally site are most welcome to get in touch to explore the possibilities.

The next York Rally planning meeting will be held from 10:30 am on 6th April 2024 at the Church Hall of St Chad’s on the Knavesmire, York. As ever, all are welcome – please just contact us via the info@yorkrally.org email address if you would like a lift from the station, or for Zoom joining info.

Most of the committee at the York Rally meeting of September 2015. Photo: Peter Eland
Most of the committee at the York Rally meeting of September 2014. Photo: Peter Eland