The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Champion cyclist makes his final journey by bike
Champion cyclist Craig Hardie had one last bike ride as he was given a hero’s send-off almost three weeks after he lost his battle with cancer.
Dozens of friends pedalled behind his coffin, which was carried to his funeral service at Dunfermline Crematorium between two bicycles – described as a cycle hearse.
Hundreds of people lined the streets on Friday to pay their last respects to the popular Fifer.
Craig’s wife and daughter have thanked those who helped celebrate his life and achievements.
Lynn and Lois Hardie said: “We would both like to thank everyone involved in the celebration of Craig’s life.
“Craig asked us to celebrate his life and we feel we achieved that and more.”
Craig, who ran Hardie Bikes in Cairneyhill, was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas in September and died in hospital on February 3.
Lynn and Lois have now launched a Justgiving page to raise money for research into the disease.
Pancreatic cancer has few noticeable symptoms in its early stages, meaning it is difficult to diagnose before it spreads.
The pair have already raised more than £6,000.
Lois said on the fundraising site: “Dad was the fittest and healthiest man I have ever met – this disease does not have prejudice and can affect anyone.
“In dad’s memory we want to help support the crucial research needed to prevent this disease affecting other families like it has ours.”
Originally from Dalgety Bay, Craig raced in all types of cycling disciplines during his 20-year career.
He began racing mountain bikes in the 1990s and won numerous championships.
He went on to become Scottish champion in cyclocross and grass track several times.
And he was also well known on the Highland games circuit and speedway circles.
Throughout his career, Craig was known for servicing his own bikes and those of other competitors, including national teams.
Tributes poured in after his death, with former Olympic and Commonwealth Games cyclist Brian Smith one of the first to offer his condolences.
He described Craig as “an amazing person who lived for his family and his bike”.
“A truly remarkable and energetic guy has been lost,” he said.
Members of Fife Cycle Speedway, where Craig was a founding member, said he would be “immensely missed”.
The Duke of Edinburgh was due to spend his sixth night in hospital yesterday, as doctors continued to monitor his health.
Prince Philip, 99, was admitted to King Edward VII’S Hospital in London on Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell. The duke is said to have walked in unaided.
His eldest son, the Prince of Wales, was the first member of the royal family to visit when he made the 200-mile round-trip from his home in Highgrove, Gloucestershire, on Saturday afternoon.
It is understood that Charles wanted to visit his father due to Philip’s extended stay.
The prince arrived at around 3.20pm on Saturday and got out of the vehicle wearing a face mask, before leaving the hospital around 30 minutes later.
A Clarence House spokesman confirmed he returned to Highgrove following his visit.
It is thought Charles had not seen his father since before Christmas because of the coronavirus restrictions, with the duke staying at Windsor Castle with the Queen.
The duke, who will turn 100 on June 10, is in hospital for an undisclosed reason, although it is not coronavirus-related.
The hospital’s website states visitors will “only be considered in exceptional circumstances”.
Regarding Charles’s visit, Buckingham Palace said it had nothing to add to its previous statement on the duke’s admission to hospital.
Charles spoke last year of not being able to see his father as coronavirus restrictions persisted.
The prince, who spent much of the first lockdown at Birkhall in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall, said in June last year: “Well, I haven’t seen my father for a long time.
“He’s going to be 99 next week, so, yes, or my grandchildren or anything. I’ve been doing Facetime. It’s all very well but it isn’t the same, is it? You really want to give people a hug.”
At Christmas, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen and Philip spent the holiday together at Windsor.
Ahead of Christmas, the duke released a rare public message praising teachers and school staff for their efforts teaching the nation’s children during the pandemic.
Alevel crossing in Broughty Ferry will be given a safety upgrade after Network Rail spent months monitoring its usage.
A red to green light is to be put in place at Harecraig crossing, which has been used freely by pedestrians for decades.
The move comes after Britain’s railway operator conducted a survey for several months.
It has now decided usage is high enough that further health and safety measures are necessary.
Just under a year ago, the crossing was mysteriously shut to the public with a sign stating the reasons were related to the spread of Covid-19.
The crossing is vital for many elderly residents, who would otherwise need to climb a steep hill to access the riverside walkway at Grassy Beach and shops in Broughty Ferry.
It is also used regularly by the Royal Tay Yacht Club to transfer shore.
Councillor Craig Duncan said at the time Network Rail needed to be more transparent about its future.
Mr Duncan welcomed the latest development.
He said: “This is a welcome solution which maintains pedestrian access and enhances safety at a popular and very, very long-established crossing.
“Many view it as, in effect, a public right of way. This is a view I know is boats to the
shared by council officers when I raised my concerns with them about the initial closure at the start of lockdown last year.
“Vehicular access will continue to rightly be restricted to certain people and not available on demand to the general public.”
Network Rail purchased land from the Royal Tay
Yacht Club to allow progress the upgrade.
A safety attendant was recently put in place at the site but this will no longer be needed.
Only pedestrians will be able to use the lights to cross while the vehicle gate will still need to be operated by a Network Railappointed supervisor.
The positions of it to the
vehicle and pedestrian gates will be swapped, while telecoms will be rearranged.
Network Rail could not be reached for comment but a project manager confirmed the work will go ahead from February 27 to March 19.
A second phase will be completed later in the year.