I found this article as I googled The Tradesman Inn, Bideford after a biker gang rode through Kendal town centre in the largest numbers I have seen for years…nice to see btw.

It brought back memories of a hells angel gang in Bideford which i nearly joined in the mid-70′s (74-76). They were named after the Trademan pub in Bideford and I visited the pub a couple of times with mates that were members of the chapter.

My stongest memory is chatting with the depressed owner who was quietly moaning about how his business had been ruined by the bikers adopting his pub as their home as they weren’t exactly packing the place out while scaring off the general public.

I wisely decided against joining in the end after having knifes flashed in my direction once too often and saw my friends being publicly embarrassed by other larger gangs who would insist they removed their colors if the other gang was in the same pub/night club. Exciting times.

Anyway, just thought you might be interested on a bit of info on the seedy past of the Tradesman Inn. I just hope the landlord’s lot picked up when the gang disbanded a couple of years later.

Thanks