Update on Kidical Mass, Saturday 15th June, 2024

Kidical Mass Wolverhampton took place on Saturday 15th June an wow what an experience indeed. Never in my dreams did I anticipate the turnout despite the torrential rain that came leading to the set off in East Park at 12:15pm. That same morning myself and Carol cycled the route and put up the professionally made Kidical Mass directional signs along the route. The signs themselves gave a senses of authenticity in that Kidical Mass was finally here in Wolverhampton. As planned at 9am the Ride Marshalls began arriving followed at 10am by the Site Marshalls. It was great to see the flurry of No Limits to Health high vis tabards that numbered nearly thirty volunteers. All the previous months of preparation were in deed paying off. Also at 10am the food vendors and information stall holders began to arrive to set up as well as the DJ and Sharon Jackson, MC for the event.

All in all over one hundred and sixty two people had registered on eventbrite. Would they turn up despite the rain which persisted sreadily from 10am onwards. I looked up and said silently in the pouring rain “God, where are You?” Amzingly from 11am people started to arrive in the rain, it was truly remarkable to see. The specially invited guests also began to arrive the first being Charlotte from British Cycling. After a good chat with Charlotte on all things cycling, I was informed that Sara Mitchell, CEO of Cyclig UK was arriving by bicycle from the Wolverhampton train station. Also on site was Hugh Porter MBE and four times world track pursuit gold medallist and his wife Anita Lonsbrough also a gold medal olympic champion for Great Britain.

An amazing thing happened just as MC Sharon Jackson took the mic to officially start the programme, the rain stopped and rhe sun came out. Boy was I relieved. A big smile of gratitude to my creator came on my face as Sharon led the programme with the planned introducations and short speeches that were planned. Sarah Mitchell, Ann Lonbrough and Phoebe Brown ( Mount Shiloh Church Forst Lady) all received flowers from No Limits to Health for their contributions to their local communities and country.

What I had not planned for was for ITV Central News to turn up and sure enough they did. They were able to film us setting off and get some decent sound bytes