R.I.P a very special Thumper

[Furry John]

H All;
Sadly I have to let you all know that Bruce lost his battle today and has passed away. To many of us he represented the ideal of the Thumper Club, he rode his Norton wherever, whenever, always camping. He was a special character with his daft jokes and crazy music, but by God he was a REAL character. When I last saw him (at Wistanstow Show, two weeks ago) he was delighted at the attention the Norton was getting and chuffed that so many people were reading his folder of pictures and notes that documented his rallying life for so many years but apparently he had weakened since then.

RIP Bruce,

Furry John

[guest1270]

Hello to you all,
Bruce was camping till last weekend and was insistent that he be booked in for the Norton owners weekend in mid Wales this weekend. Sadly he didn't make it but stayed out of hospital until Thursday night and insisted on being out of bed and on his feet as much as he could until the end came. He insisted on choosing and playing his own music in hospital [thank you Shrewsbury] and continued to contribute to the musical education of others! I shall always remember listening to "Yesterday" by the Beatles with him and reflecting how poignant the familiar words had become.
 He lived his life with an indomitable courage which sustained him for months longer than he was forecast and long after others would have given up. His friendship and freely offered [and well founded] advice has helped many a novice rallyist find a better tent or sleeping bag. His beef stew is rightly legendary. Determination and friendship are what get us to, and through, both rallys and life Bruce was a legend in both of these.
When the arrangements are known it will be good to see as many as possible of Bruce's friends at Church Stretton on their bikes to send him off with the sound of engines that was so much a part of his life. From his first Dragon in 69 to the last rally he attended at Llanthony with the club before Christmas he was never happier than when surrounded by motorcycle folk. I attended both of these events with him and was proud to be his friend. It will be good to see his friends soon to see him off on the next journey and perhaps to think about how best we remember and use the gifts that Bruce gave so freely.
Dnepr00

[SteveC#222]

I'm so, so sorry to hear Bruce has passed away, I knew he was very ill but the thought that he has gone is still a shock.  Bruce was a real character, Gentleman and a true motorcyclist and his taste in music and humour was wonderfully appalling- the club will be poorer for his loss.

God bless you Bruce, Ride free mate. 

[Steve Lake]

Met Bruce 3 times .. possibly four, always a pleasure to chat to, i loved his style, his capacity to enjoy life and people and (along with his bike) air of invincibility.
he'll be missed by many, a great loss to everyone.... wherever you go Bill.... i'm sure you'll do it your way

[guest987]

God bless Bruce. So sorry to hear of his passing. As has already been said the club was enriched by his presence and his anecdotes. No doubt he will be soon be regaling St Peter and his cohorts with his considerable repertoire.

Thump on Bruce.

[guest18]

Sad news indeed, my thoughts are with his loved ones.
I raise a glass to you Bruce, hope you're in a better place now, hopefully a sunny rally field with friends who have gone on ahead.

[themoudie]

Sad to read of Bruce's death. I never met him, but the craic on this site and the images that were posted, let you know Bruce was Bruce. Just back in from riding around Loch Awe on the single track 'road', so will raise a toast of Laphroig, "Slainte" and dedicate the sighting of the Golden eagle and two Ospreys soaring on a strong easterly under clear blue skies to Bruce.

Slainte, Bill.



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[002]

Dont know what to say !
Having known Bruce for a little while now......he kept popping up all over the place.
From our first meeting at The Elefant to Builth Wells Show.
Where he was on Marshalling duties and he did come along and join us on the stand keeping us amused with his jokes and banter.

He will be sadly missed by me and many more,Beef Stew was good !

Now God has competition.......Norton Big 4 !

Jethro

[Lone Wolf]

Wotcha.

I was a member of this forum some years ago. . . 'fraid I've had to re-register seeing as I ain't posted for a while 

 I too saw Bruce at Wistanstow last month, and although he wasn't too well he still enjoyed being there amongst the men and machines he loved.
He also attened our club's ( Moonshiners MCC ) rally on several occasions and we spent quite a few hours generally taking the piss and putting the world to rights.
As folks have said  - he may be gone but he'll never be forgotten.

[squirrelciv]

Good night Bruce, rest in peace. Your day has been long and full, filled with joy and packed with memories but now you must rest.

Met Bruce many times, always a delight to chat too and never boring. He will be missed.

[guest7]

It is terrible news, made no less affecting by the knowledge that it was the likely end to a nasty and debilitating illness. When Ian rang me to tell me the news I had tears in my eyes. The thing is I only knew Bruce through meeting him at rallies and shows, but that's the measure of his unique character, we will all miss him. I've never met anyone else like him and I doubt I will.

The first time I had a decent chat with him was in a camping shop in Betws Y Coed. He was shopping for a camping plate because he'd lost one en route to the Dragon Rally. He was in a terrible mood about it and I left the encounter thinking he was a really nice bloke, but quite mad. I have never modified that opinion The funny thing is I recounted this story to him a year or so ago and he was still in a foul mood about losing his original plate  

As for his funeral, Mandy (his wife) rang me earlier and confirmed that they intend to flood Church Stretton with bikes and the coffin will be followed by a bike convoy. As soon as details are firmed up then Ian will post them here (or failing that one of us will post them up).

One important thing to say is that Bruce's care during his illness was superb and it's all that any of us could wish that we had friends and family like his. I'll raise a glass to Bruce tonight but I also propose a toast to Mandy (Bruce's wife) and Ian and the rest of his friends. I'm sure it was a comfort for Bruce to be surrounded by such love and friendship.

Graham

[guest146]

I didnet know Bruce very well and only met him about 3 times but he was someone you don't forget. I was a little out of touch and didn't know he was ill.

A sad loss

Ken

[steveD]

Sad news, but then I am also one of the many priveledged persons to have met Bruce. Yes his taste in music was so bad that sometimes it was good! I have spent many hours chewing the 'cud' with Bruce especially when he wanted to convert his Norton to be the first electric start one round. At many Dragons I have been invited to have a plate of his famous stew, at many shows it always was quite special to see how much interest and attention his Norton attracted. The vision of him in his Felt hat and the Norton jumper with his old leather jacket will not fade from my memory and those memories can never be taken away from me.
It was not one of his more longstanding colleagues but I would consider myself a friend, who after a long days ride could set up camp, firmly shake the hand of fellow travellers, have that first beer and listen to some of the worst jokes around, courtesy of Bruce!

RIP mate

[srx6]

I met Bruce on several occasions at various rallies and had to suffer his terrible taste in music and jokes,will be sorely missed,one of liefs characters.

RIP Bruce

Alan

[guest7]

Whilst I was waiting for Bruce to turn up at the Clee Hill rally a month or so ago I mentioned to Ian's brother that Bruce's voice failing had the one consequence that he couldn't tell me any bloody dreadful jokes. Ian's brother replied, "yes, but he can still text, listen to this"
He continued,
"A farmer goes into his field one morning in the recent cold spell and finds every single one of his cows frozen solid on the spot. He casts he eyes up to heaven and asked for God's help and lo, a woman appears. She goes to each cow in turn and puts her hand on its back, at which the cow comes back to life and ambles off chewing grass. Soon they are all restored to life.
'Are you my guardian angel?' asks the farmer.
'No' she replies, 'I'm Thora Hird'

 

GC