Generation Gap

 It's a real family affair

In 1973 Commander Phillimore found some lads riding motorcycles on his land in Waltham Chase. The Commander decided the boys could stay but only if they formed a club to engage other interested parties. With that he contacted Dave Hamer and Ray Prince two people he knew had a vested interest in motorcycling. So it was that the Waltham Chase Boys Motorcycle Club was formed and with Ray being an ex Royal Marines Motorcycle Team trainer it was a natural progression to start a childrens display team.

However it quickly became apparent that with several girls in the team that the club name had to change. So the Waltham Chase Boys and Girls Motorcycle Display Team came into being, performing their first show in Gosport for a sum of £5. Any profits made at the end of each season were donated to various childrens charities.

The club flourished and expanded with many riders choosing to take part in trials competitions. It was later that the club divided into two separate entities with the display team being re-named The Wasps, due to their mostly yellow and black uniforms. Over the years trainers and managers changed but with each change came progress and a continual flow of new riders eager to learn the skills of display work and bike maintenance. One of those trainers was Gary Prince who had outgrown the riding side of things but wanted to stay involved with the team.

In 1994 the team again had a major change of management and trainers, at that time being re-named the Solent Eagles. With an injection of funds the team purchased a lorry, which is still used to this day. The team continued their successful appearances at shows across the southern regions of England entertaining crowds, appearing on various television programs and still raising money for children less able than the riders themselves. In 2003 two new members joined the team, those being the original trainers grandchildren.

At the end of 2010 the management decided that due to falling show numbers and ever increasing costs the team was at a low point. The management stood down, but as had happened before several interested parties decided to try and keep the team going. With Gary Prince taking the post of trainer again and supported by Julie Bonnar (Bookings), Phil Knibbs (Fire Marshall), Mel Knibbs (Secretary), Kate Long (vice Chair person), Richard Long (Treasurer / assistant trainer), Bill Kerr (2nd Assistant trainer) and Caroline Kerr (Communications) the new team was set to start training the remaining riders and new entrants ready for the 2011 season. If you've seen the show then you'll know if their hard work paid off!

Looking to the future the team hope to continue bringing entertainment
to those who see them ride
and raise money for charities close to the teams heart