Goldwings recruit Jim at 73
Hunmanby man gets a trike of his own following a surprise birthday ride
A Hun man by man has become a bike rat 73, riding in this year’ s Honda Gold wings Light Parade.
A Hunmanby man has become a fully-fledged biker at the age of 73 and will ride his trike in this year’s Honda Goldwings Light Parade. Jim Barker, of Manor Gardens, was treated to a surprise birthday ride-out three years ago for his 70th birthday and he has never looked back.
He explained: “My wife and daughter arranged the surprise and it was such a good day. The group took me out on the route of the parade, we talked about the plans and they all came back here.
“They’re a lovely, friendly group of people.”
From that point, Jim got involved in helping with the Goldwings’ fundraising events, including the Light Parade in Scarborough and Filey Lifeboat Day.
He started researching the bikes and looking at buying one for himself, with help from group members.
Jim said: “We heard about someone who was selling a trike due to their age. I decided to go for it and they even brought it over to Hunmanby for me from Stockport. I’ve had it about three weeks now.”
The brilliant blue trike has been causing quite a stir in Hunmanby and Jim is delighted with his new set of wheels.
He said: “I’m really pleased with it. I’ve been getting used to everything – there’s so much technology on it!
“I’ve been out quite a bit and I’m really enjoying it. I could have done with it 20 years ago!”
Jim added that his wife Val and their four children, plus their grandchildren, all love the trike and have had a ride on it. He also said passers-by love to come over and chat about the trike when he goes out.
Filey Lifeboat Weekend will take place on July 22 and 23 and the Light Parade will take place in Scarborough on Saturday September 9. There will be a static display in South Bay during the day and the parade will set off from West Pier at 8pm prompt. There will be fireworks at 9.15pm.
‘We’re looking forward to a fantastic parade’ John Bates Goldwings Light Parade organiser