A Unique Event for HOG Chapters and Riding Clubs both in the UK and Europe.
Register for the ''Peoples Tribute Ride''
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/76272
Individual Riders Registration inc Pillions can be made ''On the Day'' - but to make our lives a lot easier please use the link above to pre register or E mail for admin@normandy24.co.uk for further help.
Blenheim Palace to Fort Nelson - Friday 28th March 2025
Attended Ride
In 2024, nearly a quarter of a million people visited the The British Normandy Memorial, many of whom experienced the power and poignancy of the 1,475 servicemen placed with heads bowed on the hillside overlooking Gold Beach, each representing a life lost on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
In this VE Day 80 anniversary year, the figures will serve as a symbol of the bittersweet emotions faced by so many at the end of the Second World War in Europe – joy that the war had ended alongside the reality of absent loved ones who never came home.
Following the incredible success of our "People's Tribute Ride" last year, where we had an astounding 272 Harleys from 21 HOG Chapters riding from Blenheim Palace to Fort Nelson, we're thrilled to announce that we’re set to do it all over again. Mark your calendars for Friday, 28th March; we'll be taking the same route with the same fantastic details.
For those of you who may then fancy a few days away, we are planning to take the overnight ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Caen , a party on Saturday night in Bayeux, a few days of riding as guests of the Caen HOG Chapter. Of Course, we’ll also be visiting the British Normandy Memorial as the installation begins in earnest. You’ll be able to meet the team from Standing With Giant’s and even help erect some of these amazing figures.
Welcome to Normandy 2025 !
For Your Tomorrow – The Peoples Tribute – WHY
Hello Standing with Giants
I love to join you on the 28th of March this year from Blenheim Palace to Portsmouth. I joined you last September from Portsmouth to Stowe. On my Sports Guide. What great and emotional day. I love to do the return leg on 28th March on my sportster which With my ideas and Harley Davidson Reading doing the work we complete last year on 6th June ironically. This was to do a memorial to my grandad who was in the D-Day landings and one of the lucky ones to survive to my Nan and all the people that died in the Hertfordshire Regiment. My Wife and I and Mum took the bike over to Ver Sur Mer last August and took pictures at Hertfordshire memorial. Very emotional day but I achieved what I want to achieve with the bike and the memorial to my grandad Unfortunately, I can’t go to all to France this time but I would love join on the ride from Blenheim to Portsmouth.
That's WHY.
If you'd like to join us please register at - https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/76272?
Standing with Giants creates large-scale outdoor remembrance art installations, made from recycled materials, handmade by volunteers. These installations provide a meaningful space for people to visit and reflect, grieve, and discuss. These displays bring people together so that they may remember those who fought for our freedom, both past and present.
How it all began...
I’m a Charter member of Swansea’s Black Mountains Chapter ( BMC - part of the worldwide Harley Owners Group ) ) and we’ve been supporting the villagers of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire with their annual November Remembrance Sunday services for several years. The event has grown, with more villagers taking part and we are also joined by our HOG friends at Thames Valley Chapter. It’s unique as we have 2 services – one in St Michaels Church and one at the site of the original WW2 Airdrome RAF Stanton Harcourt.
Having a cuppa with Dan during the summer on Armed Forces Day he mentioned he’s been asked by the trustees of the British Normandy Memorial ( BNM ) in Normandy to provide a unique display. It’s for the 80th Anniversary of the D Day Landings. The 1500 figure display ( !! ) will be by far the largest he’s done - will last until Autumn 2024. He then got to the meaty bit - would I be able to help him with a motorcycle escort ? from Oxford to Portsmouth. Being an avid fan of the artwork, and knowing I'd have the support of BMC, I stuck my neck out and said yes, I would, but then thought we'd better call on a fair number of HOG Chapters to hit his target of 200 bikes.
Knowing our fellow HOG members, they wouldn’t be satisfied with just a little ‘’Ride Out’ so I threw in ‘’Can we come over and give you a hand putting it up ?’’
That's it - once you put your neck out, heaven knows where it will lead...
Alan Holland – Black Mountains Chapter, Wales – Summer 2023.
Supporting ''Standing With Giants''
Why we Ride and Stand Together
2024 has been an amazing summer both at the British Normandy Memorial in France and National Trust Stowe Gardens, Buckinghamshire with the Standing With Giant's display being voted the most popular Normandy 80 Exhibit. With 1500 people on average visiting and a record weekend attendence of 7500 it's been every emotion rolled into one. Stowe initally projected 30,000 visitors in a 8 week period - but nearly 80,000 visitors turned up.
We had 272 Harleys for the Blenheim Palce / Fort Nelson Ride and 60 caught the overnight ferry to France - where we met another 60 HOG friends. It was an amazing turnout !
https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org
Pins and Patches are available
Our Unique Pins and Patches are now available to order On Line. With the support of M&P Direct and Swansea Harley Davidson they can be ordered by using this link :
https://www.mandp.co.uk/search?q=Standing+With+Giants+Normandy+80
Please remember that all profits will go to ''Standing With Giants''
Note they can only be delivered to UK addresses - so perhaps order a few more and then you can take some extra's to France.
Patches are 80mm in diameter and the Pins are 28mm in diameter
What's Next ?
If you fancy joining us for either ride then please let us know.
Give us a bell on 07968 208132 and we'll have a chat or drop us an Email on admin@normandy24.co.uk
Regards
Team Normandy 80 @ Black Mountains Chapter, Wales.
diolch yn fawr
