As General Manager of Buckatree Hall Hotel, and a resident of Dawley, I must say how excited I am about watching the British BMX Series and hosting some of the BMX stars of the future at the hotel.

As a Dawley resident I walk past what I now know is a national standard BMX race track and home to Wrekin Riders BMX Race Club.

During the weekends and some weeknights I see youngsters and their parents going for BMX training at the end of Duce Drive but I never quite knew whether it was open to all, or when.

I’ve since found out they do novice sessions every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm, a ladies only session on a Friday and club training and expert level sessions from 12pm every Saturday and Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Then the big news came… this small club, run by just a handful of dedicated volunteers, is actually hosting the final two rounds of the British BMX Series on August 6th and 7th at this track!

So what does this mean? It means around 3,000 people will be coming to Telford (including 950 riders aged from four upwards), staying in hotels (we are welcoming a number of them), camping on Malinslee playing fields, eating, drinking and shopping in the local area and also giving the people of Telford a taste of the BMX action.

What a great boost to the local economy. Well done to Wrekin Riders for taking on the challenge.

It is free to spectate so I know I’ll escape from work at some point over the weekend to watch the action. Road closures and diversions will be in place to make way for caterers and there’s no doubt the volunteers will be working around the clock during the weekend (practice starts on the Friday at 4pm) and the weeks leading up to the event to make it a success. We must take our hats off to everyone at Wrekin Riders.

I decided we wanted to give something back – we are already a part of the trackside sponsorship scheme with a banner advertising our hotel – but I was so overwhelmed by the club that I decided Buckatree Hall Hotel should also sponsor a new bike.

This means another novice rider will have the opportunity to start their BMX journey.

I’m sure all at Wrekin Riders will have their eyes firmly fixed on the Olympics as they host their own event.

Well done to all at Wrekin Riders. Make sure you follow them at www.facebook.com/wrekinriders.

I must just have a go myself one of these days… but we better inform A&E first!