KNOWN as the "Old Man's Outing" the Veterans' Reunion Trial run by Ilkley and District Motor Club was first established more than 70 years ago.

These photographs from the club's archives show some of the well-known competitors who have taken part in the event.

Club historian Janet Kitching said: "When motor sport resumed after World War 2 it was noticed that many of the older but still active members were appearing at events as spectators and it was felt that an attempt should be made to revive their talents and get them back onto a motor cycle.

"With this in mind, one such member, since 1928, Geoff Fletcher, came up with the idea of a reunion trial, open to clubs in the Yorkshire Centre but only for riders who had first competed in an event in Yorkshire prior to 31st December, 1930.

"This was first run on 17th September, 1950 and was also referred to as the “Old Man’s Outing”.

Starting from the Ilkley Moor Hotel, the route had to be shortened because of incessant rain and the water in the West End water splash (now below the Thruscross Reservoir) flooded to a depth of 18 inches.

Janet said: "Despite the swift current only six of the 32 riders chose to go over the nearby narrow foot bridge, so incurring penalties. In spite of the atrocious conditions the event was a huge success and set the seal for the event for the next 50 plus years.

"The winner of the first event was Arthur Bryden riding his 1913 belt-driven Triumph. He first competed in 1913 and was 'suitably rewarded' with an engraved stone hot water bottle."

Janet said: "Programmes gave full details of all the riders, their first event and the machine they were riding and read like a veritable 'whose who' of Yorkshire motor cycle sport. After the second event it was felt that the trial 'had now established its permanence as both the trial itself and the spirit of the competitions would ensure its success for many years to come.' How true that would prove to be."

In 1951 former president, Felix Scriven and T T winner Stanley Woods were joint patrons. In 1952 it was decided to invite Sir Algernon Guinness to be patron. He had many distinctions - including the fact that he was first person to reach 120 mph on Saltburn Sands in 1901 driving a 200h.p. Darracq.

Following on as patrons were 1913 T T winner Tim Wood, Rowland Wynn, Freddie Dixon, Professor A M Lowe, George Reed and lastly, J Stuart White Senior

In 1960 the club celebrated its Golden Jubilee Year and a special dinner was held at the Ilkley Moor Hotel.The front cover of the golden jubilee programme featured Eddie Flintoff , a former president who had been riding since 1921. He had taken part in the first reunion trial, and was still riding in the 1960 trial and for many years afterwards.

One of the photographs shows Oliver Langton, who later took up dirt track racing in Argentina along with his brother Eric.

At the club’s 75th Anniversary week-end in 1985 one of the competitors was 84 year old Jonas Butterfield, who had also taken part in the first event in 1950.

The trial in 2000 proved to be the last. The following year the event was cancelled as foot and mouth ravaged the countryside, and landowners and farmers fought for their livelihoods.

When the club celebrated its centenary in 2010, a reunion trial get-together was held.

Janet said: "It was a lovely afternoon and a fitting finale to what had been a very social and mildly competitive event. Geoff would have been so pleased at its success."