This has been a difficult day for Tony and Louise. A huge gathering of mourners attended St Peters Church Shipley today. I was so proud of my brother when he delivered a moving eulogy to his wife, surely the most difficult task he has faced in all his years, and huge applause broke out at the conclusion.
The list of mourners didn't quite read as a who's who of the British motorcycling past and present, but it was pretty impressive. Among them, Rob Mac, Mick Grant, Colin and Robin Appleyard, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuiness, Stan Woods, Paul Smart, all the Padgetts and Tom Dickie. And from the trials world: well after the Lampkins and Rathmells, you road race bunch won't have heard of them, but believe me, they were there. The trade turned out en masse, including Andy Smith from Yamaha, and many many of Tony and Pauline's friends. She was described by Tony as a "Pied Piper", and so many youngsters who grew up with DJ were there to pay their respects.
All in all, an extremely moving affair, and I'm sure that many of you will want to continue to support Tony and Louise at this difficult time. Thank you.