I'm not big on the rituals of baptisms, weddings and funerals. But on Sunday I attended such an event that stirred some genuine emotion for once:
Some people are so ever-present that they become part of the scenery and Jamie (Panster) was one of these.
I wouldn't presume to say that I knew him, but he was a familiar face on the local bike scene from before I got into Harleys - at the tea hut, on toy runs, and just generally out and about on his beautiful old machines. And later, once I'd got my first Sportster, we would take a few minutes to chat whenever we bumped into each other - and he patiently helped me out with some sage technical advice.
Inevitably perhaps you take it for granted that such people will always be around - so I was more shocked than I could have imagined to hear that Jamie had been killed in an accident on his way to a rally last weekend.
I wouldn't presume to say that I knew him, but he was a familiar face on the local bike scene from before I got into Harleys - at the tea hut, on toy runs, and just generally out and about on his beautiful old machines. And later, once I'd got my first Sportster, we would take a few minutes to chat whenever we bumped into each other - and he patiently helped me out with some sage technical advice.
Inevitably perhaps you take it for granted that such people will always be around - so I was more shocked than I could have imagined to hear that Jamie had been killed in an accident on his way to a rally last weekend.
He had requested that his ashes be scattered at the tea hut at High Beech - and this was what happened on Sunday. I can't think of a better resting place - now he will truly be a part of the scenery he loved.
In all honesty I don't believe in an after-life, and I have no idea what 'RIP' means. But he certainly deserved a few respectful moments to mark his life - and my thoughts are with all those who knew Panster better than I did.
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