Name/Title
Photograph of Sussex Police motorcycle trials team 1977Entry/Object ID
2237Description
Small black and white photograph of the Sussex Police motorcycle trails team in 1977 with rear inscription "Sussex Police trials and enduro team 1977 on retired BSA 350 patrol bikes boots, helmets overalls supplied by HQ Usually 2 teams of 3". This is thought to have been taken at the annual TALMAG trials event in Surrey.Context
In the past police forces were always keen to have officers represent them in all manner of sporting activities. It is only in more recent years that such representation has diminished, mainly as a result of reduced budgets and forces no longer being able to support sports activities during duty time.
The type of activities extended to motorcycle trials events, including the TALMAG trials which are still run in Surrey, as an annual event for pre 1965 British machines. In the 1970s Sussex Police sponsored a team, using old force BSA 350cc patrol motorcycles and also providing overalls and protective equipment. The actual event is a solo one and in both 1978 and 1979 PS AD087 Alan Dart won his class (see items 2235 and 2236).
This photograph is of the 1977 Sussex Police trails team and is thought to have been taken at the TALMAG event.