There are other aspects to this genteel seaside resort. Bexhill is the birthplace of British motor racing. It's also the home of the splendid art deco De La Warr Pavilion. Host to a whole range of artistic, cultural, and entertainment programmes through the year.

In the early 1900s, Earl De La Warr and his well-heeled aristo mates used the seafront to race early cars, motorcycles and motorised cycles. He grabbed the idea from the south of France, where this form of street racing was popular.

The period also saw the beginnings of motorcycle journalism. A local vicar and race enthusiast, Basil Davies, wrote about motorcycling for many years using the pen name 'Ixion'. He was a columnist for almost sixty years in 'The Motorcycle' magazine and was a frequent visitor to the Isle of Man.

The Earl lent his name to the pavilion when it was built in 1935. To his credit, the reasoning behind the construction was to provide: 'A modernist building of world renown that will become a crucible for creating a new model of cultural provision in an English seaside town which is going to lead to the growth, prosperity and the greater culture of our town'.

The Bexhill Music and Motorcycle Festival ran over the weekend of the 12th - 14th August. It was the third time that Bike 1066 had run this event. They are also the people who provide some of the organisation around the Hastings May Day gathering.

On Friday, they laid on an evening of biking movies. Park up, grab a deck chair and some fish and chips and watch motorcycle movies screened against the white walls of the pavilion, with the backdrop of a calm sea. Then Saturday night was music night, with the exuberant Wilko Johnson performing in the De La Warr.

Wilko was the front man for those Canvey Island rockers, Dr Feelgood. And it's something of a miracle that he is still standing, let alone playing hard-driving rock and blues guitar. He was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in 2012, of which the prognosis is rarely positive. He refused chemotherapy treatment and in 2013 embarked on a farewell tour and final album recording with Roger Daltrey. He also made a very moving programme for the BBC after he was told he had ten months to live.

It then transpired that his cancer was the less virulent kind. He went on to have major surgery in 2014 that removed his pancreas, spleen and large parts of his stomach and intestines. Wilko is still with us and rocking Bexhill.

The main motorcycle event was set for the Sunday under lovely summer skies. The previous two years have had mini moto racing in the De La Warr car park, an exciting attraction. But one of the organisers told me the mini moto circus had gone to Silverstone this year. So the main attraction was a ride in by the 'Sussex Wings' – a parade into the town of those gleaming two-wheeled leviathans that are Honda Gold Wings.

They rode onto the concourse accompanied by the 'Ride of The Valkyries'. As they were directed to line up, the first band on the day's live music programme, The Kavemen, struck the first chords of 'Born To Be Wild'. A good rendition of this long time rocker favourite, but a little incongruous given the advanced years of most of the Wing riders. One bloke even got his polishing kit out as soon as his bike was parked up and re-sparkled his front wheel and forks.

I have to be journalistically honest here and say that, as a show, it was disappointing. There were just a handful of trade stands plus the conventional food and drink stalls and trailers. There were very few bikes on display aside from those that people rode in on. And there's always interest here, but as there wasn't much to hold attention people soon rode away again to enjoy the warm dry roads.

On the plus side, the live music stage had a full programme. Non-biking folk pulled up deck chairs, enjoyed the entertainment, and inspected the line of Gold Wings. Perhaps their own biking memories reflected in the generous chrome and polished paintwork.

If the event is to continue being supported, some more activity and imagination wouldn't go amiss. Why not get one of the classic bike clubs to put on a display? Or how about a mini trials arena for people to try the control and balance needed for this sport? Or low-cost, 'bring-what-you-want-to-sell' spaces so that motorcyclists can clear out the surplus 'stuff' we all accumulate?

Just a few ideas. In the meantime, we hope you enjoyed the pictures. Did you go to this event? Tell us what you thought at [email protected].

19/08/16 - great weekend. Friday film - good weather and beer. Saturday gig - Wilko Johnson, superb. Sunday -great bikes in the car park, excellent music on the bandstand and got to chat to John Harris on the Joey Dunlop Foundation stand. Needs more trade stands though!!

19/08/16 - Yes I went on the Sunday. Great bands could do with more trade stands.

19/08/16 - I yes went ..was good and very busy ...

19/08/16 - I must've gone to a different event. ..

          21/08/16 - Was Very Disappointed with It ........

                    22/08/16 - Me to

19/08/16 - Yes good weekend. A completely different vibe to the may day run locks bottom to hastings

20/08/16 - I went on the Sunday. Rode my Greeves trials bike from Eastbourne. Met up with some friends I haven't seen for years. A good event despite the teething problems and will grow and get better next year.

20/08/16 - Yes we stumbled across it last Sunday, a real surprise- and fish and chips to die for over the road!

20/08/16 - I didn't exhibit this year. I'd be interested to know if I did next time would people come over and take a look at what I've got to offer

21/08/16 - Yes my wife and I went, we were a little disappointed by the turn out of trade there seemed a lot less than previous years that we've been but had a good look around all the same and still enjoyed it

21/08/16 - Was a good day on Sunday & very chilled & great atmosphere! !! Highly recommend going next year !!!