John Bethell, one of the founding fathers of the Kendal Classic MCC, recently renamed as the Cumbria Classic MCC (to reflect the wider base of its members and events), passed away on Sunday, October 5 following a short illness in the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
John, aged 70, was primarily involved in the scrambling side of the club, and indeed had been racing as recently as two weeks earlier at a meeting in Dorset. Even so he was also a staunch supporter of trials and was insistent that the famous Nostalgia meeting, held in August each year, should continue to have a supporting Nostalgia Trial on the day prior to the Nostalgia scramble.
As well as being one of the driving forces behind the club's events, he was also very much behind the popular Christmas gathering when famous faces from the classic scene were interviewed by John having researched their past diligently, to provide an entertaining afternoon of nostalgia for the gathering which was always very well supported.
John was taken ill just four days before his passing which came as a great shock to all those who knew him and his loss will be greatly felt amongst the classic scene, not just for his good humour but also for his vast knowledge of the sport.
Condolences from all sides of the sport will be made to his family and friends. John's funeral will be on Friday, October 17 at 1.15pm at Lancaster Crematorium followed by a gathering at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal from 3pm.