A JustGiving page has been set up in memory of John with all donations to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – “because of their help in his hour of need”.

The link is:
https://www.justgiving.com/Johnkirkman

IAM Insight August 2015

Diane Kirkman has asked that the club let people know that there will be drinks and a bite to eat at the Pavillions (Great Yorkshire Showground) after the funeral on Thursday, 13th August.

The Tuesday ride out this month will be lead by Chris Armstrong who will be taking us into the Lakes for lunch overlooking Lake Coniston.

Meet 9.45am at Café 59 (just west of the Bolton Abbey roundabout on the A59) for prompt start at 10.00am.

The route will take us to the eastern side of Windermere then across the lake on the Sawrey ferry and onwards to Coniston for lunch at the Bluebird Café.

Return route to be decided on the day depending on weather and available time, but still finishing back at Café 59.

Hope to see you there.

David

It is with deepest regret that I have to inform members of the death of our former Chairman, John Kirkman. I first met John in Aldershot while we were both serving in 5 Airborne Brigade, John in the Royal Signals and me in the Royal Engineers.
I met him again, over 15 years later, when I joined Harrogate Advanced Bikes in 2003. John was Chairman of the club at that time, and completed two terms as HAB Chairman from 2003 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2013 when he stepped down to spend more time with his family. He was also a member of the Harrogate and Northallerton IAM car groups.
John was a safe, experienced and enthusiastic motorcyclist who, as a Senior Observer for many years, helped numerous associates gain the skills to pass the IAM Advanced Motorcycle and Car Tests. He was always keen to encourage more people to become Observers following their test and put tremendous effort into their training. John trained me to be an Observer in 2005 and most of the Observers in the group today have benefitted from the training that John provided. He was an excellent instructor and has played a major role in shaping the club we have today. John was also keen to expand the social activities of the club and was famous for his ‘Cannonball Run’ which took place on the Summer Solstice and involved riding across the country to see the sunset on the West coast and rise again in the East.
On Thursday 30 July, John was riding with two other motorcyclists near Sutton Bank when he was killed a in collision with a car just outside the village of Scawton. He will be sorely missed by all his friends in the club and our heartfelt condolences go to Diane and the family. The funeral will take place at 1pm on Thursday 13 August at Stonefall Crematorium then the Pavillions. All are welcome as are motorcycles.

Bob Hill, Chairman.

APOLOGIES, some people already have this information but I forgot to post it to the website:

There’s a group ride out TOMORROW, meet 9.45 for 10.00am start at Ripley Castle car park (that’s the large area on the south side of the estate).

Route out will head north then west into the North Yorks Moors and on to Great Broughton for lunch at the Bay Horse. Return route through Rievaulx and finishing at Dishforth on the A168.

Total mileage approx. 100 miles

Sorry again for such short notice but hope to see you there if you can make it. Weather still looks good.

David

The slow riding workshop scheduled for Sunday 26th of July 2015 has been cancelled. A revised provisional date of Sunday 6th of September 2015 has been identified and we are currently seeking permission of the car park owners in Knaresborough to use their facilies on that day.

Further details will be notified to members.

Doug Masterton – Chief Observer

IAM Insight July 2015