Bernard Gore

Words: Anne Bates

Known as the Welsh Sammy Miller for his similar dedicated and determined style, he lived his whole life in the small village of Newchurch in Radnorshire near to the English border. Although a farmer’s son, he trained as a mechanic excelling at bodywork. He started riding trials in the mid-sixties for his local club Builth Wells and he was soon challenging for wins locally and like many trials riders of the time progressed from local to national trials getting amongst the awards on a regular basis. He won the Welsh Trials Championship on four occasions which qualified him to ride in the British Experts held locally at Rhayader. Also he won the Mid Wales Centre Trials Championship on five consecutive occasions from 1967 to 1972 with the exception of one year due to foot and mouth disease.

Bernard was best known for riding a Bultaco including an ex-Sammy Miller machine which he gained most of his success on.  He was involved as development rider for Michael Martin’s ‘Mickmar’ trials machine in the seventies who incidentally now lives just over a few miles away from Bernard’s home. After that he finished his career on Ossa by then he had met and married Vicky James, daughter of a Builth club official and sister to another local trials rider. Although trials was his first love which he excelled at Bernard also dabbled a few times riding scrambles on a Bultaco Metisse.

Bernard passed away on 9th July, he is survived by his wife, Vicky, son Gareth and daughter Emma. Motorcycling still plays a part in the Gore household with son Gareth firstly road racing but in recent years competing in trials.

Ken Sedgley 1935-2025

Words: Keith Gardner

Ken Sedgley was a well known rider, particularly in the Midlands of England. He ran a motorcycle shop in Northfield, Birmingham, with his wife, Pat. But he was best known as a scrambles rider, initially on a Tiger Cub but later as a works Greeves and Dot rider. He was also an excellent trials rider, competing in many SSDT and the ISDT, with much success. After his riding career he was a sales representative for Silkolene Lubricants. Small in stature, he achieved tremendous results, particularly when he was one of the first to ride the twin-port CZ. He also built his own motocross machine in 1977, named the British Rival. He died peacefully, aged 91 with his family by his side. Details of funeral will be posted in due course.

Neil Sedgley wrote: Thank you so much for all your kind messages, it means a great deal and my Dad would be so pleased that you remember him from back in the day.

Dad’s funeral will be on Tuesday 2nd September at 10am at The Vale Crematorium, Evesham Road, Fladbury, Pershore WR10 2QR

Followed by a wake at, The Vale Golf Club, Hill Furze Road, Bishampton, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 2LZ

Our only dress code request is that you wear something navy blue and white – you could take the boy out of West Bromwich, but you can never take West Bromwich Albion out of the boy!