PREPARATIONS for Redmarley 2001, the vintage and veteran motorcycle hillclimb, are now well under way.

The event was revived earlier this year after a 29-year absence and drew huge crowds to the course, near Great Witley.

Next year's event will be at a new site at Walsgrove Hill, less than a mile from the old venue, and will be a two-day affair with the pre-1965 motorcycle trial on Easter Sunday, April 15, with the main hillclimb event the following day.

A hardcore of keen volunteers have been on the hill most weekends. Fortunately, an early start was made and most of the hard work was done prior to the rains setting in.

With the extra ground at Walsgrove Farm and the availability of adjacent fields for car parking, the site is expected to be far better for spectators and much more easily manageable for the organisers.

The course has now been finalised, and promises to be equally as challenging for the riders as the old hill, and just as exciting for the spectators.

Another benefit of the new site is that the Sunday trial can now be held in the same grounds as the Hill Climb.

Last year the trial drew an excellent entry. Now conveniently on common ground with the Hill Climb, and with new sections and new challenges, it promises to be even more popular.

Organisers have support from the villages of Martley and Abberley as well as Great Witley, and a multi-village fete is plan-ned as a side attraction.