Pat Matthews has died

We have received the sad news today from Kevin, Pat's son, that Pat has died at home.

Pat in Montreuil on a gite holiday in 1991 (photo by Steve Bott)

Apart from riding with the Wayfarers for very many years and clocking up prize-winning mileages she took part in many gite holidays in France and other rides in Europe. But some of her fondest memories were of her adventures with CTC Holidays, including an expedition to Nepal.

Pat had become less mobile in recent years but when she could manage it she would walk to Elevenses whenever possible to join the Easy Riders then take the buses home. She has enjoyed coming to our annual lunches and remained an avid reader of the Sou'Wester.

~ Tim

Peter Tiller has died

 

Peter on his first ride with Wayfarers

We have heard some very sad news from Ray Wren, that Peter Tiller has died (Tuesday 11th June). Ray received a call from Peter's wife Pam on Wednesday morning to tell him and ask him to let us know. 

Peter has cycled with our Wayfarers groups since 2010. In recent years he became seriously ill but continued to turn up to ride with the Easy Riders whenever he was able to, including numerous rides this year.

Our thoughts are with Pam and their family.

~ Tim

 

John Conacher has died

Lynda Barrow received the news that John Conacher passed away on Saturday, 29 July.   John, who lived in Banstead, had been in the Merchant Navy for many years and rode with the Easy Riders until around 2016.   His wife became poorly and they both moved into a retirement home, the Royal Alfred Seafarers Society in Woodmansterne in 2019.   His wife passed away shortly after they moved there, and he continued to keep in touch with the Wayfarers through the blog and Sou'Wester Shorts.

Lynda visited John, together with Rob and Ruth Maskell, in 2020, when this photo was taken. 

John's son Richard says

Cycling was a big part of Dads later life. I suppose it really began when following his work in the Merchant Navy and then later as a cargo surveyor he began to work for Legal and General in Kingswood. This would be 1985 or 1986. Living in Banstead he decided that cycling the few miles would be his best bet and I think it was at this point that he bought his first bike (other than his childhood bikes of course). 

Cycling to and from work along a mainly rural route started and finished his working day just right! 

I’m not sure when he joined the Wayfarers but as William said he told us all about the rides and we were amazed at how far he was going.  I did join Dad for one Wayfarers ride although I can’t recall the details. Reading through the blog has given me a lot of pleasure as it’s a great record of several days out that were clearly one of the highlights of that particular week for Dad. 

Dad continued to cycle till almost the end, as William says he switched to an electric bike a couple of years ago as the hills were too much for a gentleman of his age and suitably powered up he continued to ride up to Epsom Downs till maybe a year ago. 

I know Dad was very fond of the Wayfarers and he asked me in particular just a few days ago to get in touch with Lynda upon his passing. 

We will be in touch shortly with funeral arrangements. 

Rest in peace, John, and thanks for your company.

Shirley Quemby

Shirley died peacefully in the early hours of Monday morning 13 February in St.Helier hospital.

Everybody who has ridden with Beginners over many years will have known Shirley, whose contribution to the Beginners section of the club was immense.

She had been unwell for sometime, and our thoughts go to Colin and their family at this sad time.

Maggie & Paul

News from the Dieppe Cycling Club: Michel Lefebvre has died

Michel (pictured left), who will be known to most Dieppe Raid participants as the President of the Club des Cyclotouristes Dieppois, leading the presentation after the Sunday rides, died last week according to a post on the Dieppe Raid Facebook page, which has more information.    Our sympathies go to his club mates and his family.

Brian Starey has died

Bob Starey has advised me that his brother Brian Starey died just before Christmas (he had been poorly for some time). Older members may remember how much effort Brian put in to helping make the Wayfarers a success.

Pete Barnard

Norman Goody has died

I received the following news from Jake Dodd today:

Unfortunately I have some sad news to tell you as Norman Goody passed away last week. He had been living in a care home for a few years as he was unable to be at home due to his dementia.  His funeral will be on Wednesday 23rd November, 2.40pm at North East Surrey Crematorium, if anyone wishes to attend.

Norman was a regular rider with the Wayfarers and a stalwart of many tours including many Dieppe Raids, which he attended until the mid 2010s.   He will be missed by many longstanding Wayfarers.

Wayfarers in France, 1990 (Norman far right)

June 1995, Isington, Hants (Norman 2nd from right)

Dieppe Raid, 2007 (Norman 4th from right)

Cliff Whitfield has died

It is with great sadness that I am passing on news from Maureen that Cliff passed away peacefully in St Helier Hospital yesterday morning, 12th March.

Maureen and Cliff's daughters are planning his funeral and will advise us about the date and venues for the funeral and wake and will want to know how many of us they should expect.

Our heartfelt condolences to Maureen and their family. Quite a number of us have very happy memories of riding with Cliff on club rides as well as numerous tours abroad.

~ Tim

Cliff leading the peloton up the hill to St Florent le Vieil (2014)

In Nonsuch Park for a Saturday ride

Les Johnston has died

Barbara Johnston has informed us that her husband Les died on Sunday 2nd January.

Although he hadn't been able to ride with us since about 2015 many of us in the B, C and Beginners groups will remember him as a very enthusiastic all-weather rider who made the most of retirement through his cycling, especially within our club. In the past he had been a leader too.

A profile of his personal, professional and cycling life can be found in our archive:

http://www.swlda.org.uk/SouWester/2006/Johnston.htm

 

Les, in blue jacket, out on a Saturday ride in 2014

~ Tim

John Brooks has died

Gillian wrote to me last night with this sad news that John died on Saturday 30th October.

Dear Tim,

I am shocked and saddened to be passing on to you the news that my dear friend John Brooks died last Saturday. His wife Gian has asked for my help in letting his many cycling friends know as she does not know how to. I will be sending a similar message to Helen as he had ridden frequently with the C's  though he was predominantly a B-er until a couple of years ago.

If you could devise something between you to pass on the news we would be very grateful. Use this message if you feel it appropriate. I shall tell people who knew him when I see them on a Kingston ride I expect to join this Sunday.

John had a lung condition (which he kept very much to himself - he didn't tell me) and had been in hospital regarding this for approaching a week prior to his death. He was fully expected to return home when pulmonary embolism clots moved to his heart and caused his death.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.

Gillian (Calder) 

___________________________________

I've found two photos of John out with the Easy Riders during the summer:

John is sitting to Lynda's right

John backmarking for the group

David Bellchamber RIP

I'm sad to report that David Bellchamber, from Cobham Royal British Legion, passed away a few weeks ago. (I found out when I popped into the Legion on my ride home from Guildford - and having had no response to an email about recommencing our elevenses). He died from Covid in Epsom Hospital.

Many of you will have known David far longer than me. He was responsible for opening-up the building and organising our teas and coffees - and probably a lot more. A lovely man.

David's funeral is on Monday. Further details will be posted on the blog about how the Wayfarers may wish to respond. 

Mike Withers - Invitation to a celebration of his life on 17 July

As you may remember, long-time Wayfarer Mike Withers died last year, and during the Covid restrictions it was not possible to invite many people to his funeral.    I have received this invitation from Mike's wife, Pat:

Dear Friends,

My family and I should like to invite you to join us in a celebration of the

life of Michael Withers, much loved husband, father and grandfather, on

Saturday, 17th July, at [address supplied to me], Effingham, anytime

between 12noon and 4.00pm. We will be serving a selection of light

refreshments throughout the afternoon and would love to see you.

As you will remember, Michael died suddenly in October last year. We

were so sorry that, due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to invite

everyone to his funeral, but further lockdowns permitting, we should like

to see as many of his friends as possible on July, 17th to thank you for

the messages of sympathy we received and to share some memories.

With best wishes,

Pat Withers

RSVP

I have not published Pat's address and contact details on the blog so please email me for these details.

Simon

Mike Morley has died

We received the very sad news yesterday evening that Mike Morley has passed away. We have known that Mike was in Epsom hospital for all but a few of the days since Boxing Day and that on top of numerous other medical complications he had tested positive for Covid recently.

We will remember Mike for his company on club rides and many other things but above all for his colossal energy and enthusiasm for cycling and for his contributions to the life of the club, notably for running the Hilly 50Km event in recent years and for stepping in as editor of the Sou'Wester when duty called.

Our thoughts are with Barbara and their family at this sad time.

~ Tim

Mike Withers has died

We were sad to learn today that Mike Withers passed away on Saturday morning. Mike was a club member for many years and will be missed by all who knew and cycled with him. Recently he didn't ride with us but often turned up for Elevenses at the RBL in Cobham when that was still possible. Thanks to Steph for letting us know. 

~ Tim 

Fuzz Edwards

Fuzz in 2010

Lynda received this sad news yesterday from Fuzz's wife Mary.

Said that Fuzz died on Friday evening. It was Bronchial Pneumonia.  Apparently, he had been unwell over last 18 months.  He was 89 years old. 

Mary said the family would have a party at theirs in the Summer.  Due to circumstances now, funerals only immediate family. 

He was a good age.  I'm pleased it wasn't due to this virus.

Once met, never forgotten, Fuzz was always ready to crack a joke.  If you didn't have the pleasure of meeting him, you will get an idea from reports of his rides here and here.  He suffered a series of strokes from 2016-18 which affected his mobility, but he was still determined to ride, going out on a trike around Wormwood Scrubs, if I remember correctly.   He will be sadly missed.

Fuzz (in flat cap) with the Easy Riders, Feb 2011

Robin Johnson has died

We have just received this sad news from Richard Murphy in an email which he sent yesterday but which I didn't pick up until this afternoon:

I am very sorry to tell you that Robin passed away this morning. His condition had declined fairly quickly over recent weeks. He died peacefully in Chiswick Nursing Centre.

He continued to have regular visits from family and friends and I know that he enjoyed these and that they were important to him.

I would be grateful if you would pass on this sad news to your colleagues in the cycling club.

I will let you know about the funeral arrangements once these are made.

Regards,

Richard

Richard Murphy
(Godson)

Don Clarke

Another member who will be sorely missed:

David Aylett has died

We have just received the very sad news from Shirley that David Aylett has died.

David Aylett (centre) with Ken Loy and Diane Suckling

Richard Aylett, David and Dawn's son phoned Shirley this morning to tell her that David passed away last night.

Over many years David has been such an enthusiastic participant in the life of the club and and we remember him with gratitude for many things but especially for being instrumental in the founding of the Saturday group some 20 years ago.

We extend our condolences to Dawn and to David's family.

David with wife Dawn

~ Tim

John Mason

John

This is a photo taken on 9 June 2010 of John having lunch on an MWW ride at the Little Park Hatch at Cranleigh. Some may remember Toni d'Italia sitting on a freshly painted bench and having to strip as much as possible of the wet green paint from his clothes before he could comfortably take to the saddle after lunch. We remember John with great affection.
Jeff

John Mason

Terry informed me yesterday that John Mason died on Thursday 28th December.

John was suffering from Alzheimer's disease in recent years and had recently been moved from a home in Bookham, his home town, to a home in Westcott which was better suited to his needs.

John's wife Marguerite spoke to Terry yesterday to inform him and she will let him know when and where the funeral will take place.

Graham and Terry remember John as a regular with Cheam and Morden from about 2004 to 2010. Perhaps he rode with the Wayfarers too.

John, in blue, at Elevenses, Henfold Fisheries, 2007

Competitors in the 2006 Freewheel Competition

John, after beating Peter and David in the Freewheel Competition