Ridden to Glory

Northwest Region are sad to announce the death of our member Raymond Gatley who went to be with the Lord a few weeks ago. The service took place last Tuesday 25th June and was attended by many including a very good turnout from the local Christian Bikers. Ray passed his test at 17 and had bikes all his life, his passion for the Lord enabled him to pursue his love of riding motorcycles and even evangelising while fishing. He married Pat and raised a family while holding down a full time job. His later life consisted mainly of looking after his wife Pat and attending his local Christian fellowship church where he played bass guitar in the worship team. Although mainly a quiet and humble man, Ray was a great guy to know, he had wisdom and an absolute ton of patience. He was always first to put his hand in his pocket at a cafe or pub, pass on the odd verse and sometimes sing hymns at the top of his voice on the way back from an FCM meeting. He was incredibly versatile and could pick up a tune and play it on his guitar, or his keyboard. He could also ride his bike like the wind. Ray was diagnosed with cancer 6 years ago, he went through a very tough time with chemo and radiotherapy and came out of it clear. Unfortunately, the cancer took him again very quickly some 6 weeks ago. I remember Ray saying to me (and many other people) a few years back…. “If the Lord extends my time here by keeping my cancer at bay then each day is a bonus, on the other hand if he calls me home that's ok too, either way I win.” Ray was much loved by everyone, an inspiration to us all, we shall miss him dearly, however he is in a fabulous place

Jean Rees was another long time Wessex member, and would faithfully join her husband John on rides both with the FCM and the Rotary Club they also belonged to. Although she had tried to learn to ride herself, this was the one area in which she would admit that John was better then she was!  

Michael Jenkins who has died at the age of 84 was a founder member of the FCM, with Peter Vickers. They wanted to create a club centred around bikes, friendship and fellowship. Michael was Chaplain at Radley School for many years and was notable for being the only master to ride a motorbike. During school holidays he would take pupils skiing, Michael was a very keen skier and in later life thought that skiing contributed to his back problems. He retired early to look after his father who was in failing health. His mother also had long term health problems and Michael and his brother, Roger, cared for her, it was quite a sacrifice for them as their mother was bedridden for some time before she died. He then took on the post of Rural Dean for the Anglican diocese of Guildford until he retired. After retirement he became a member of the Roman Catholic Church. I met Michael when I joined the FCM in the mid 80s and a friendship developed that I shall always treasure, even though we held opposite views on many things, including newspapers and politics. Each November we would agree to meet at the bike show in Birmingham and as we made final arrangements I would say, ‘I shall aim to be there for when it opens’ and every year he would say ‘I have a few things to do first, I will meet you at 2pm’ at least I was able to go around twice – Happy days.

Michael Jenkins, one of our earliest FCM members a long time Wessex member, and former Chairman of the FCM (1982-1983), had been unable to ride for many years after spinal stenosis weakened the muscles in his arms and legs, but he remained a keen member. He died in his nursing home after having contracted COVID. 

Always generous with his time, he was willing to share the gospel with anyone he met. He will be remembered.
Always willing to share the gospel and to greet anyone with a big smile, Brian went to be with his Lord on Christmas Day 2018 following complications from operations on his eyes earlier in the year.

Much loved, as she loved her Saviour.. Margaret had ridden on the back of her husband Glyn's bike since the formation of the Fellowship, always the quiet, calm voice in the background. She will be missed by current and former members alike. 

His smiling face and infectious laugh will be missed on our runs. Retired missionary David had been a biker for many years when he came across the FCM. He quickly became a regular face on the Kent Region runs, even venturing onto the continent with us on his 350cc scooter after his hips told him to get rid of his Honda 500! He was always ready to share the gospel alongside his love of motorbikes wherever we went. Kent will certainly miss him, but he is now with the Lord he loved and served for many years. 

He was a good man, and a friend. Generous with his time. He will be much missed. Mike Wilman had been a member of the FCM for 17 years. He joined after he found a copy of Trans:Mission by the roadside in Staines (dropped by myself earlier in the day when I was visiting Phil!) I don't recommend littering as a means of obtaining new members, but on this occasion it was successful! He was publicity officer from 2003 to 2007, and Wessex Secretary with Brian Godfrey after that. He was the reason we held a club stand at Beaulieu Motorcycle show for a number of years, and gained further members through that, including Brian Godfrey and Patrick Laycock, and we had a great time into the bargain. He also arranged mid-week meets along with John and Jean Rees and Brian when he was still well.He was a member of St Paul's Church and had recently joined their FROGS group (For Retired Old Gits Society!), a member of the church fabric committee, a member of the Rotary Motorcyclists, the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists, member of a church choir. He only retired from work as a lecturer at Southampton University in September. He died of a massive heart attack on 14 November 2016. 

Having served his Lord and Saviour for many years, and encouraged many in their faith, Brian is now with Him forever.  

Now receiving his reward from his Lord and Saviour whom he served for many years. Peter Vickers shone with the Holy Spirit. He was excited about Jesus and when he spoke about his faith he could not sit still. Peter was a great encourager of others, quick to acknowledge the gifts, efforts and contributions of other people. He was a lovely man and we are blessed and privileged to have known him. 

Quiet, always ready to help and advise, Paul was a great encouragement to many in the Fellowship. "I got to know Paul very soon after joining FCM when we used to meet in Horseferry Road, Westminster opposite the Magistrate's Courts. I remember it as being a gloomy area, but we enjoyed wonderful fellowship at FCM and on runs. My main memories of Paul were at the annual camp, and on the 24-hour Annual Rallies. Two of the earliest camps were in Burgess Hill, run by the Popes - I rather think you joined the FCM later than those. At camp Paul and I would meet outside our tents fairly early, both having our morning Bible reading and prayer time, and sharing the beauty and quietness of the morning. I shall not forget the Annual Rally when Superted, Paul and I made a team and enjoyed a superb tour of England following the clues, getting lost and re-finding ourselves, and so enjoying our bikes together. Then there was the FCM Pilgrimage that Alf Minter led, when we worshipped with the monks in Alnmouth, slept on Holy Island, and travelled across to Mull and Iona together. Paul was a wonderful friend, even though our meetings were just a few times a year - or less - but it was a joy to share with him and to correspond regularly at Christmas. Well, he is now Home where he had eagerly awaited meeting his Master. I pray that Paul's dear wife, Beryl, and their family will know the peace of the Lord at this particular time."

Paul Sargent has been in the FCM for the best part of 30 years in a number of roles including National Chairman. He was the rock of the Chiltern region and always brought us together. His family have told me how he valued the FCM and he possesses a substantial collection of past FCM memorabilia, which I know he was keen to catalogue. In the past 5 years or so, he has been a full time carer to his wife Beryl, who is still suffering from dementia. I remember him telling me it was like losing a soul mate and best friend even though she is with him every day. Paul remained totally dedicated to his caring role uncomplainingly, right up to the point where he could no longer do so. Only then he secured her full time care before moving into another part of the complex himself. This truly shows to me what love really is. In fact the reason he reluctantly stopped riding his BMW, was because if he fell off, he was concerned there would be no one to look after Beryl. Paul has been a real inspiration to me. When he shared with me at the Port Einon camp, the story of how he and Beryl had to cope with the suicide of their Son, it really made the problems that I have moaned at God about seem so insignificant. He always tried to support our events and often stayed in touch with past members and made sure everyone was invited. Any events where he wasn’t there, he was well missed. I always remember the time at Balsall Common AGM, when I was playing piano for a hymn and glancing at Paul and watching him radiate God while worshipping. For almost a year now, Paul has been fighting a very aggressive form of skin cancer, which was attacking his face mainly. When I last spoke to him face to face, I was shocked by the seriousness of his condition. He told me that he was going to undergo treatment, but had no trace of self-pity or fear in his voice. In all of these trials his faith did not falter one jot. In fact, as I write this just 2 days after the sad news, I find from his family, that he has planned his funeral and memorial celebration down to the finest detail, without a trace of uncertainty in the sure hope he had. I do hope by the time this is published, Paul has had a send off which a large FCM representation. I can honestly say that despite the age gap, he was a real friend. I don’t think I have got any other friends that I am so tuned in with of that age group. I really valued his advice and he always seemed to show a genuine interest in how I was. To finish I quote Gloria, who puts it so beautifully, that Paul is going on the best run of all -The Home Run!.

Mavis was loved by everyone who met her and she was very quick to spot the new member and make them feel welcome. You may have known her as Mavis Cornelius or Mavis Cooper, but she would regularly contribute to Trans:Mission as "Mave the Rave" "one of the Fellowship's founding members died this morning. Mavis Bunn had been active within FCM, although less so since she moved to Wales with her husband Steve, until she had a major stroke 4 years ago. Mavis was always a bright ray of light into any of the lives of the people she met, no matter what her own circumstances were. She will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know her."

Alf was still riding up to a couple of months before he died. One time President of the BMF, Alf maintained his passion for bikes (and dislike of cars) throughout his life. Members of the Fellowship were able to attend Alf's funeral service and join in a mass bike procession around Sandwich.

Clive was a great encouragement to everyone he met, whether in their Christian lives or their biking lives. He finally lost his battle with cancer in 2007.

'Much loved, still missed'.  

A founding member of the FCM, he is still loved and remembered by those who knew him.