THIS month Harwich Motorcycle Club celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The club had been formed in March 1964 by a group of enthusiasts attending motorcycle maintenance classes at The Grange and followed the demise of the old Stour Valley Motorcycle Club in 1960.

Just one of those original club members is still part of the club, Peter Goodwin, now president.

“Us lads thought we ought to start a club and loads of people turned up,” he said.

“As I had a pen, I was made secretary, a position I held for 35 years."

The club started a motoball team, a five-a-side football on bikes that was hugely popular in Europe at the time.

Bikers from the town took up the game alongside road races, scrambles, trials and grass track meetings and the Isle of Man TT Races.

“We have about 50 members now,” said Mr Goodwin.

“Some do road racing and others side car racing, which is scary as the passenger hangs out of the sidecar to keep the wheels on the floor.”

To mark the 50th anniversary of the club, members are holding a party at the club headquarters, at the Park Pavilion, in Barrack Lane, on March 15.

For more information, visit the Harwich Motorcycle Club page on Facebook.