MP leads caution to biker group’s Welshpool suicide prevention hub plan

A newly formed charity from the biking community is facing stiff opposition to plans for a suicide prevention hub in Welshpool, with Montgomeryshire’s MP also weighing in on the contentious debate to warn the Town Council to do their “due diligence”.

Welsh Bikers for Suicide Prevention wants to lease the historic Motte and Bailey site opposite Tesco from the Town Council for a new centre that will “create a space where men in particular can strip down, restore and then ride motorbikes”.

It’s founder and former Llandrindod Wells Mayor, Jeff Green, made a passionate presentation to the Town Council last night, stressing the need for such a facility by highlighting the number of suicides that have put Mid Wales above the national average, particularly amongst the male population.

He was backed up by members from a similar biker initiative in Telford with one claiming they had prevented around 20 suicides.

“It will be a facility for all,” explained Mr Green. “Everyone will be welcome with no prejudice and a drop-in culture. You don’t even have to be into bikes. There will be access to professional counsellors as we will work closely with people like The Samaritans and MIND.

“In doing my research I have found that men, in particular, that find themselves in this position feel loneliness, a lack of purpose and worthlessness. These are young men who are amongst us.”

He then finished his 15-minute address by insisting there was “no hidden agenda” and: “we will work with anyone who needs help.”

The group’s offer is financially appealing to the Town Council who are stuck with a long lease for the ancient site from Powis Estates, and it faces a huge bill to return it to its former glory, which they would need to do before handing back. Mr Green said the biker community has numerous tradesmen and women in their ranks and that part of their mission would be to carry out the work free of charge, as well as paying an unnamed amount in annual rent.

But his presentation was met by considerable scepticism from several councillors who delved into Mr Green’s personal history as the leader of a controversial Christian political group, questioned the charity’s links to biker group, The Valley Commandos, and even the mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, commented: “Welshpool is a quiet market town so the prospect of 100s of motorcycles descending on the town would make some people feel uncomfortable.”

Deputy Mayor, Cllr David France, was particularly forthright with his questions and put points to Mr Green that were sent to us earlier in the evening by MP Steve Witherden (they are listed below), including an allegation that the Valley Commandos had links to Nazism.

But Mr Green remained calm under the tough questioning to answer every point put to him, and there was plenty of support too in the chamber with Cllr Nick Howells visibly angry that the word ‘Nazi’ was used in this context, and Cllr Estelle Bleivas, herself of Jewish heritage, saying “where do I sign up?”.

Cllr Phil Pritchard said he has gone to the area of the Motte and Bailey to ask 40-50 residents for their views and he said that every single person supported the idea. He also said he had done his research with a visit to Llandrindod Wells and found businesses and residents in “complete support of the bikers and even saying it was one of the best things to happen there”.

Mr Green, who revealed that he was a scout leader and also a school bus driver, explained that the group was in the process of being set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and should be listed on the Charity Commission’s web site “by next week”.

After several minutes of heated debate, a majority voted for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation, and to make a decision on whether to go ahead with the offer to lease the building. Sadly, this will be held behind closed doors so members of the press and public will not be able to witness the proceedings.

Here is what Steve Witherden MP sent to us prior to last night’s meeting, and his comments were mirrored by what was asked in the meeting by his Labour colleague and Deputy Mayor, Cllr David France.

“Many constituents in Welshpool have lodged serious concerns with me about the potential letting of the Motte and Bailey site opposite Tesco to a biker group known as the Valley Commandos.

“I use this name as the one that the group had themselves originally submitted in their bid for the site, before changing this to Welsh Bikers for Suicide Prevention somewhere along the way.

“I know that the vast majority of biker groups are law-abiding, and I am committed to speaking up on the mental health crisis and supporting community initiatives, but I do feel that the Town Council has a responsibility to do their due diligence here given the strength of feeling from constituents. 

“Constituents have raised concerns that there is no apparent evidence the group is indeed registered as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). Nor does their chosen charitable name have any evident online presence. The Town Council needs to be absolutely certain about their legal status before making any decision.

“Welshpool residents also note the biker group’s ‘One Percenter’ status, groups which explicitly claim to operate outside the law, their open use of the Nazi SS ‘Death’s Head’ skull as their insignia, and their alleged links to a Neo-Nazi militant unit named Combat 18, whom they allowed to use a previous clubhouse in Abercynon to stage the mock lynching of a gollywog doll (Mr Green responded to this claim that it was 15 years ago and the building had been leased to them “by mistake”).

“Residents have also raised concerns about the organiser of the bid, Jeff Green, who has stood in multiple elections in the county as the leader of a Christian Fundamentalist Party, and who ran a guesthouse in Llandrindod Wells which appeared to operate a policy that would not let rooms to unmarried couples, until the Equality and Human Rights Commission warned this would be in contravention of discrimination laws. Gay marriage was yet to become legal at the time.

“I feel compelled to make these concerns public as it is not unreasonable to deduce that this charitable work could be used as a front for disreputable activities in Welshpool.”