Harley-Davidson enthusiasts to ride in memory of member from Harborough who died from cancer
A group of Harley-Davidson bikers are set to complete a ride of remembrance next month in memory of a Harborough man who died from cancer last year.
Members of the Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain’s Region 21 - Naseby Field, are taking part in a group ride on April 25 in memory of Garry Cooke, affectionately known as Cookie.
Garry was the representative of the Naseby Field region for at least ten years and an active member of the club before his illness. He organised run-outs, parties and rallies at regional and national level.
To remember Garry, the region’s members will be meeting at their usual location, The Beeswing pub in Kettering, before riding to a bench in Market Harborough, located near St Dionysius’ Church, which was dedicated to Garry last year following his funeral.
After completing the ride the group plan to park up near to the bench and have their photo taken at the site, with a view to publishing it in their bi-monthly club magazine ‘Harlyquin’.
It will be taking place as part of a national ride of remembrance across all of the Harley-Davidson Riders Club’s 31 regions.
The club’s vice-chairman and assistant regional representative Dr Andy Peters said: "Cookie was a long time member and the Region 21 rep for over ten years.
"He actively attended rallies and rides across the UK.
"I only met Garry a few times and he was a very keen Leicester Tigers fan, and we used to rib each other a lot because my team is Northampton Saints!"
The riders club was established in 1949, making it the oldest Harley-Davidson enthusiasts club in Britain, and has more than 2,000 members across its 31 regions.
Market Harborough is an important location for the club, and earlier in the month it held its annual general meeting in the town.