Trials Guru reports the passing of Weardale stalwart Walter Dalton, one of the North East’s best known trials characters.
Walter was employed by Portland Blue Circle Cement at their Weardale plant at Eastgate and was a regular competitor across the border in Scottish trials which also included the Loch Lomond Two-Day and Scottish Six Days events, plus the Pre’65 Scottish.
In later years he took up riding Pre’65 trials on a 500 Ariel and supported Spain’s Carlos Casas on a 200cc Triumph Cub for many years in the Pre’65 Scottish.
Dalton competed in many Scottish Six Days Trials back as far as the late 1960s. He rode both Bultaco and Montesa machinery.
In 1984, Walter entered the SSDT and the Pre’65 Scottish on a Reg May built ‘RM Special’, this machine was actually road registered as such. The machine was a BSA B40 motor in a much modified Bultaco Sherpa frame, with Alpina front wheel and Pursang rear wheel and a modified 340 Sherpa alloy tank and specially fabricated oil tank. The machine was not strictly Pre’65 but the organisers were less strict in those days.
Trials Guru extends sincere condolences to the Dalton family.
TRIALS GURU 
I remember Walter from the 80s great character He would Tackle any section no fear!
He was an inspiration to continue riding even into your 70s !!!!
Watched and admired him as a young boy, teenager and man.
RIP Walter.
Fond memories of spending time with Walter and Reg May at his house and at his workshop at the cement works preparing his bicycle prior to the Scottish.
Sincere condolences to his family.
One of Weardale’s characters. Will always be remembered
Sad news. I met Walter several times through his other talent; Singing acapella at open mic nights up in Weardale!