The show is a mix of autojumble, trade stands, plus bike clubs and individuals showing their lovingly restored machines or their classic competition bikes. There's everything men (or women) with sheds could ever need; bits to sort through, tool paraphernalia, project bikes to purchase and clothing and helmet bargains...so the sales banners inform us. One trader had a substantial number of snow shovels on display. Perhaps privy to meteorological knowledge in advance of the rest of us.

Scooters usually feature in this 2016 opener, but this year the organisers devoted two of the exhibition halls especially for displaying a whole spectrum of individual scooters, club displays and specialist builders and engineers. It was fascinating to see the artistry, imagination and creativity vested in the bikes, and we've included a gallery of examples which we hope you'll appreciate.

The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMCC) let me through the tape barriers to photograph some of their bikes. While other notable displays were the Poachers, a pre-1965 trials club, who had their 'trials irons' hoisted onto stands so that viewing was easy and comfortable for those who remember the models and didn't have to contort the bones.

The Straightliners, an organisation that sets up events where top terminal speed is the aim for riders, displayed a monowheel named War Horse powered by a 100cc engine, and holds the Guinness World Record for this strange contraption at 61.18mph. A close examination of this 'thing' revealed that it was shod with cycle tyres riveted together. Innovation should never be too complicated.

I find it hard to resist books, so bought a copy of the Guy Martin autobiography for my partner, who's a big fan; and it was a bargain at a fiver. Plus a copy of Chris Scott's book, 'Adventures in Motorcycling', about his anarchic buccaneering experiences as a despatch rider in London in the 80s. He went on to become one of the foremost motorcycling adventurers - before it became trendy and de rigueur - and the expert on desert riding and rallies. I'll review these in the coming weeks.

There's some good show action over the coming weeks including the Springfields Show at Spalding in Lincolnshire on January 24th and 25th, the Bristol Classic Show at Shepton Mallet in Somerset on February 6th and 7th. Then comes the MCN show at the Excel in London on February 13th and 14th...we'll preview this next week.

Did you go to this event? What do you think about the bikes that were on display? Share your thoughts with us at [email protected].

11/01/16         Some great machines also scooters, keep it up guys

11/01/16         First ever time I've taken a bike to a show like this and it gets a photo taken, it's not been restored or anything, it's the white VFR.  Some super bikes and scooters

          12/01/16          Nice photo

                    12/01/16         sure is first ever show bike

12/01/16          You should try the Bath and west classic bike show

12/01/16           2nd time I visited, went last year too. Enjoyable xperience. Have you considered having live bands playing in one of the vacant buildings ? With food and drink in there it would be an additional opportunity ?

12/01/16         To be fair we went last year when it was freezing and thought it was good, this year there seemed less and the same tool stalls repeated lots. The issue is to attract more clubs and exhibitors at this early time of year. Shows in the past never valued the clubs enough but with no bikes you have no show. I hope this continues to grow but packed as it was i heard a lot saying there was not a lot there. We work for BIKERfm and we talked about the show for weeks to get people aware and will be doing a bit on it tonight. We got some good interviews and hope to make the Stafford show in April

13/01/16         I enjoy going for a potter around but feel there is scope for so much more given the facilities at Newark Show Ground. I hope it eventually grows into something more like the Stafford shows, more diverse stands and a bigger jumble but I guess the unpredictable January weather is pretty restrictive. Its a shame, but being 3 miles down the road and a good social I shall continue to go. At least I came away with the service manual I wanted and caught up with a few folk.

13/01/16          Would have preferred to see more bikes there and less jumble. It was enjoyable tho with some excellent bikes on display

13/01/16          Stafford show was first class, plenty to see and buy , an excellent day out . Newark show in comparison very poor , disgrace really , you could see it all in one hour !

14/01/16         Needs to evolve. Hasn't changed from the previous two years I've attended. I live a mile from this venue and know the potential is there. Would love to see it become similar to the Stafford shows.

14/01/16         Gone down hill over the last few years