Rays funeral 271019

Over 20 club members past and present attended Rays funeral on a dry but cold Monday, 12 of those on their motorbikes. We were all welcomed with tea, coffee and biscuits by members of the family who thanked us all for coming. At 11 am, I set off in the lead with Keith and Dermot ahead of Ray, the family had suggested quite a long ride around the town, some 5.5 miles before arriving at St Peters Church. I hear that my wife, Keith's wife, my Sister and others put themselves in the road as the cortege exited on to Cowleymoor road in order to stop the traffic until all the bikes and cars were out of Rays cul de sac ( well done ladies! ), the rest of the ride met with little disruption and we all arrived together at the Church. During the ride, it was suggested that Ray should experience a fast, final ride down a short distance of the link road so I stepped up to 50mph for that stretch.
We riders lined the path leading up to the Church before and after the service for Ray to pass between us, we were even individually given a kiss at the line out by one of Ray's Granddaughters!.
After a very meaningful service, we were invited to make our way to the Masonic hall for refreshments
The family have asked me to thank you all for attending and have expressed the feeling that we had added a very strong tribute in memory of Ray.

the riders assemble

bike problems discussed

Rays funeral arrangements

Details have been passed to me today regarding Rays funeral arrangements, they are:
The funeral is at 1130 on the 28th of October at St Peters Church, St Peters Street Tiverton, motorcycles are invited to attend, riders will be welcomed from 10am at Rays house where tea, coffee and biscuits will be available. The cortege will set off at 11am with Myself, Keith and Dermot ahead of the hearse with Ray behind as was the case when he was riding, Tony Maurice and Brian will follow behind with all the other riders behind them. The route is 5.1 miles and will take up to 20 minutes, we shall go down Chaple street, up Gold St., Bampton St., William St., Barrington St.,  Station rd., Great Western way, Heathcoat way, Link rd., Bolham rd., Kennedy way, Leat St., Bridge St., and St Peters St to the Church. Keith and I did this route today to try it out and our comments are around keeping together at junctions particularly at the bottom of Chapel St., the ride down the link road will be faster at the families request to give Ray a 'blast' on this his last journey.
At the Church, parking will be difficult and it may be that the motorcycles will have to park on the wide pavement ensuring we don't block anyone's gate. Once parked, I would like the riders to line the path up to the Church please, if anyone does not wish to attend the service, please could they stay to look after the bikes whilst the service is taking place.
The 'wake' will be straight after the service at the Masonic lodge in Castle St. which is very close to the Church., after this the funeral will be a private ceremony at the crematorium.
If anyone needs directions to Rays, please contact myself and I will explain.
If anyone should come to a stop, please pull over so that we can proceed and someone will come back to you later.

Here is the Menu for our Christmas Lunch, which is on Decenber the 14th at The Mitre, Witheridge at 12 for 12.30am sit down. The price of the meal for Members and their guests is £15 pounds a head.
Please send your order with remittance to our Treasurer Keith Cleeve, 1, Graham Close, Tiverton, EX13 6BS. As an added bonus you get to hear a speech by Dermot.

December ‘Christmas dinner / lunch menu’ 2019

                                                                           Starters

Ham Hock terrine with sweet pickled cucumber and piccalilli 

winter vegetable soup with croutons

Breaded whitebait and whole tail scampi with homemade tartare sauce

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Main course

Roast free-range local turkey breast with pork sausage meat stuffing, pigs-in-blankets, turkey gravy and roast potatoes

local game pie topped with crispy, sliced potatoes

hake supreme, wrapped in prosciutto with pesto, roast cherry vine tomatoes and red peppers

baked aubergine, stuffed with tomato and walnuts, topped with melting Devon blue cheese

--- all served with a selection of seasonal vegetables ---___________________

Desserts

Christmas pudding and double cream

sicilian lemon tart with stapleton’s local vanilla bean ice cream

rich chocolate torte with stapleton’s belgian chocolate ice cream

A Selection of cheese - Cornish Yarg, Devon blue and Dorset red with crackers and chutney

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Freshly ground Italian coffee and chocolates___________________
All 3 courses £15 after VMCC subsidy

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• Please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements and we’ll do our best to help