Castle to castle charity rideout
After the Covid-19 lockdown, the Carrickfergus Castle to Killyleagh Castle charity ride was one of the biggest ever seen in Killyleagh
Well over 100 scooters attended the event – a brilliant turnout from the local scooter clubs and solo riders. The event was very kindly organised by Killyleagh man, Stephen Kennedy, to help raise money for the Brian Steenson Memorial Group, who fund the memorials in Crossgar and Killyleagh.
The ride-out started in Carrickfergus, leaving the castle car park just after 11am in glorious sunshine, which remained for the rest of the day. On the way, the cavalcade picked up small groups of scooters and their riders as we made our way through Belfast.
After a brief stop in Dundonald to pick up more riders and to gather up a few stragglers, we headed off again through Comber and to our final destination – Killyleagh – where we parked up at the castle entrance for refreshments and a catch-up, as this was the first large ride-out since the lockdown.
Enthusiasts from the Brian Steenson Memorial Group were at Killyleagh Castle to welcome all the scooterists. Brian’s mother, Margaret, came along to Killyleagh from Carrickfergus. On display, along with some memorabilia, was Brian’s 350cc Aermacchi – the machine Brian rode in the 1968/1969 seasons. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary of Brian’s tragic death – he died at Nobles Hospital, Isle of Man five days after his crash on his 500cc Seeley, during the third lap of the Senior Tourist Trophy Race; he was 23 years old.
The Crossgar Mural was finally up and in place and everyone was delighted to see it on the gable wall of the Corner Inn, Crossgar. The painting work was done by artist, Glenn Molloy, who has made an excellent job. The Memorial Group had planned to unveil both memorials on Sunday, June 21, 2020, as Brian’s funeral took place on Sunday, June 21, 1970. But the scaffolding structure is still in place, which prevented this happening.
Planning approval from the council is still being awaited for the Killyleagh Memorial (which Jim Lindsay organised) and some of the group have suggested that the unveiling of both memorials takes place in September this year, when we again run the Crossgar Car and Motorcycle Cavalcade.
The group would like to thank Stephen and all those who took part and came along and supported this event. Overall £700 was raised on the day. This kind offer to help the Brian Steenson Memorial Group was greatly appreciated by all of them.