Bonnie is pictured with his 1948 A7 500cc BSA, his 1954 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet (“the comfiest one”), and a 1961 250cc Matchless
A sixteen year-old would not be allowed to jump on a 500cc motor bike and take to the roads today, but things used to be different and Bonnie Jackson passed his test on a 500cc Vincent HRD. That would begin a love affair with motor bikes that would last to the present day, leaving him with a wealth of memories and photographs and three classic bikes he owns currently.
Well-known in the village of Helpston, Bonnie lives at The Nook, with his wife of 52 years, Annie, who has ridden many pillion miles in her time. The couple lived for over 30 years at Woodcroft, where he ran a haulage and coal merchant business and Annie pursued an interest in gardening, running her own nursery, ‘Belmont Nurseries’ for some years.
Bonnie is hard put to name every vehicle he has owned – the list would be long- but among those fondly remembered is a big Hillman which Fred Bean drove for the couple’s wedding. “I think we had about thirteen in that once!” he recalls.
A proud achievement was receiving the Cup at Bourne Show for a 650cc AJS twin and Charnwood Meteor sidecar about three years ago. Despite having a sidecar with this bike, the Jackson’s never took their children out in sidecars.
Always busy, Bonnie has never had much time for restoration work so bought all his vehicles in good condition. Whilst on National Service in 1954, Bonnie was posted to Hong Kong. “I was lucky enough to be chosen for the Royal Signals Display Team,” he told us “and had the privilege of performing three times in front of the Governor of Hong Kong riding my 350cc Matchless.
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