A POPULAR fundraising motorbike rally roared into Gwent yesterday, Sunday.

Hoggin’ the Bridge, now in its 18th year, saw thousands of riders from across the country leave from Aust and over the old Severn bridge, before arriving at Caldicot Castle to a rapturous reception, with hundreds of people lining the streets to see the spectacle.

The event, which raises money for charities including Meningitis Now, previously ended at Chepstow Racecourse, but this year moved to Caldicot Castle, where visitors could also enjoy live music, rides and other entertainment.

Speaking yesterday afternoon, organiser Aaron Reeks said the event was going “really, really well”.

“There’s been reports of queueing as far back as the motorway,” he said. “That’s never happened before.

“We’ve got 37 traders which is a big increase on last year.

“And we’ve had lots of support from the locals.”

Supporters were out in force in Caldicot to welcome participants, applauding and high-fiving riders as they came through the town.

Charlie Berney, famous among participants as The Jelly Baby Lady, has been handing out sweets to riders on the route for about ten years, and this year was no different, as she welcomed participants into the castle.

“It’s such a fantastic event,” she said. “Why would you not want to support something like this?

“There’s lot of familiar faces and I’ve been getting some nice Tweets.”

Mrs Berney said it wasn’t until about two years ago that she realised what a fixture of the event she had become.

“I’ve had Christmas cards addressed to ‘The jelly baby lady on the hill’,” she said.

“They’ve moved this year and a lot of people asked me if I would still be coming.

“Apparently they’ve even called a rest stop ‘the jelly baby stop’.”

Hoggin’ the Bridge was founded in 2000 and has raised more than £100,000 for charities including Meningitis Now, the South Wales Air Ambulance, St John Ambulance, Newport-based St David’s Hospice, the Severn Area Rescue Association and others since 2010.

Founder Rex Forster died in 2005, and today the event is run in his memory by the Caldicot Town Team.

For more information on Hoggin’ the Bridge visit hogginthebridge.co.uk

Connor Bryant, aged seven, from Caldicot, living his dream of participating in Hoggin' the Bridge.

South Wales Argus: