Where can I start? At the beginning might be a good idea, I first met Howard donkeys years ago at the Bradford Vagabonds M .C C. in the Junction pub at the bottom of Leeds road in Bradford when I was fourteen years old 1961.I used to go in with Dougie Barnard,I had my first pint there, (would have been a wealthy man had it been my last!)

I was a regular for about three or four years I remember Howard because of his charismatic nature, he was always even then, making himself heard.

I stopped going to the club and lost touch with Howard until we met up again on the Flappit in about 1974/5 he didn’t remember me but I sure as hell remembered him! I could here his voice booming out in the distance.

I think Howard had a BSA B40 then, we quickly became friends and

His son Darren and my son David used to ride around the moor together. At that time I had a Bultaco Howard used to say "Get yourself a mans bike get rid of that crap" I quickly obeyed, after he put me on to a mate who was selling a pre 65.

That was the start, we used to go almost every weekend to some trial or other all over the country, or riding up at the Flappit in all weathers, (Norma sat in the car she had more sense)

As the trials became more and more difficult it was decided, amongst the regular riders, that there was need for a club specifically for older machines. The clerks of the courses had no idea what it was like to manhandle a 1950s four stroke around their sections and were understandably concentrating on the modern two strokes.

The Yorkshire and Lancashire classic bike club was born.

I can remember the early days when Howard used to argue with Lancashire lads about the name, he was adamant that Yorkshire had to come first, as the idea was born in Yorkshire, he was a true Yorkshire man through and through and would have nothing wrong said about gods county.

I don’t know what you lads who ride regularly are going to do now!

When I was riding all I had to do was ring Howard he would know where and when the next trial was to be, who the clerk of the course was and the time it started, and the price of the entry fees and which pub was being used afterwards. I’m sure I wasn’t alone on that score. Mr Paul Howarth was right when he said at his funeral " it will have to be a big man to fill those boots".

The same applied to buying a bike or acquiring spares he was a star man at that! If he didn’t know, he would know some one who did.

After the tragic loss of Darren I sat at home wondering what one could say or do to a friend in these circumstances, after two or three days I plucked up courage and went up to his house and said get your coat Howard we are going for a pint .

We sat in the Crossroads pub with our pints asking why and cried together.

(Seven years later I found out exactly what it was like for him when my son was killed in a motorcycle accident Howard was one of the first to call and see me, we had a repeat performance).

How Howard kept on riding after Darren’s accident I will never know.

Perhaps he was a man and a half.

Anyone who called at his house whatever the time of day or night was always made welcome, with a mandatory cup of tea and a chat in the garage. Nothing was too much trouble for him I have seen him help out total strangers, with advice and bits and pieces.

Howard was a good friend to every one who knew him, I was proud to have known him and glad to be his friend, he will be sadly missed.

Rest in peace my friend.

PS.

Norma would like to thank every one who Attended the service, the sum raised For Dr Cuthberts haematology unit was £82 TO FOLLOW this shows how popular Howard was amongst those who knew him.