I am sorry to have to inform members that Roger Farmer died recently following his brave fight againt cancer. Most RRND members will know Roger from his time helping run 'The Old Quarry' trials centre at Betchworth or from when he was minding for his grandson, Luke Thomas, in club and local events.
Roger was a positive and colourful character and whenever I met him he always had time to shake hands and have a chat, with lots of stories about his younger days riding sidecar trials and grasstrack as well as horse racing and countless other escapades. Even in the last few months he still attended trials when he could and I am glad that my last memory of him was at our South Coast Group event at Betchworth, sitting outside in the sunshine having a cup of tea having enjoyed watching the trial.
Roger supported Luke in so many ways, driving him to trials when he was younger, helping out with the bike and drinks and advising on the sections, but he was not averse to giving Luke some forthright opinions if he felt it was warranted! He would always offer to help setting out trials and he and Luke helped me with our South Coast event last year, they also laid out evening trials for us at their land.
I have only known Roger and Luke for the last 5 years or so, since they started attending RRND trials and I think the following excerpt from my report of a very muddy and wet club trial at Faygate tip, in May 2006, summed up their relationship….
"In the youth category Luke Thomas had a fantastic ride on his Sherco to lose just 23 marks on the day. If he continues to improve at this rate he will be one to watch for the future. He was still smiling even after falling into the water pit at section 5, with the water reaching up to his thigh! He did well to get out of the water hole, especially after Roger, his minder, nearly followed him in when trying to get the bike out! Maybe that’s what he was really laughing about? Good to see someone was laughing at what was not one of the most enjoyable days out!"
He will be sadly missed at trials events and my condolences go to Karen, Dave and Luke Thomas and all his family.
Rogers funeral will be at Leatherhead Crematorium on Friday 17th September at 16:15pm, and afterwards at Walton Heath Golf Club. No flowers please, but donations can be made to Cancer Research or the Meningitis Trust either directly or through Karen.