Bill Standley spent many of his years travelling across America atop his 1967 Electra Glide and his wish was to be buried with his beloved Harley... and he has!

The avid motorcyclist Bill was determined to take the bike with him when he departed and so with the help of his sons Pete and Roy, they created a customised 9ft x 11ft pexiglass box, where he sits astride his prized Harley-Davidson, dressed in his leathers and sunglasses.

The idea came about many years ago, where he said about who would be left his bike “What am I supposed to do? I’ve got two sons, but only one bike”. His daughter said to him “Oh Dad, just be buried with it”. And so the plan was hatched.

The family man had the casket stored for the past five years and would show off the casket to friends.  'He was proud of it,' his son Roy said.

While his family agreed that the procession to the cemetery, during which the body was on display, may be shocking, they wanted to honor their father's last wish. 'He'd done right by us all these years, and at least we could see he goes out the way he wanted to,' said his other son Pete. His daughter, Dorothy, added that he was 'a quirky man'.

Mr Standley, who used to work as a bareback rodeo rider, was be escorted to the ceremony on 31st January, 2014 at the Fairview Cemetery in Mutual, USA by a procession of bikers.

Five embalmers prepared his body and secured him with a metal back brace and straps to ensure he will never lose his seat on his beloved bike. The casket was lowered into three burial plots, which are next to his wife Lorna.

One funeral attendee said: ‘Some people walk through the pearly gates, some people ride.’

On Friday 31 January, the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) held a training event for volunteers participating in their ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, near Warwick.

The ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project is led by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Aston Martin Lagonda, Aston Martin Works, Aston Martin Heritage Trust and Aston Martin Owners Club. The aim is to bring together current and former Aston Martin employees, to tell the behind-the-scenes history of Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Lagonda employees have volunteered their own time to take part in the Project and attend training events. Volunteers learnt about oral history and how to interview people using recording equipment. Julia Letts, an Oral History Society trainer introduced the training by saying “Oral history gives a voice to those people who often don’t get the opportunity to tell their stories”.

The volunteers will start by interviewing each other and then arrange interviews with people who are keen to share their stories of life at Aston Martin. The volunteer group will be supported by the Project team from the BMIHT Archive, where the recordings will be deposited for posterity, enabling future generations to learn about their industrial heritage.

The Heritage Motor Centre Gaydon near Warwick is currently hosting an ‘Aston Martin – A Century of Craftsmanship’ exhibition until December 2014. Admission to this exhibition is included within the standard museum entry fees.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

Multiple UK Club Championship winner Phil Crowe is preparing for a busy schedule during the 2014 season. The man from Market Rasen is set to make his debut at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy this year, as well as the Ulster Grand Prix. As if the race schedule were not enough, Crowe also plans to develop young motorcycle talent through his Lincolnshire based PCR Motorcycle Developments company.

Phil has announced that he will continue with his short circuit commitments with Thundersport GB in the GP1 class and selected British Superstock 1000 rounds, but the main focus in 2014 will undoubtedly be the roads campaign.

“It’s an exciting time for me” said Crowe. “While I will continue with the short circuit commitments, my focus and aim has always been to develop on the roads and this year I will make my eagerly anticipated debut at the Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix,” said the Lincolnshire rider.

“My plan is to run in the RL 360 Superstock, Dainese Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races and I will be returning to the North West 200. Oliver’s Mount remains part of the race schedule for me this year and I am looking forward to running the BMW S1000RR at Dundrod, a circuit that I have always wanted to race,” said Crowe.

“Additionally I am really looking to build on the plans to support young racing talent and inject something back into the sport. We have some exceptional riders that we are working with, including bright young stars Tom and Tim Neave, who I believe have a very promising future. If I can help them along the way, it will be extremely rewarding,” said Crowe. “I am also working with Carl Simpson who is already demonstrating his skills and talents on the bigger machines. He will only improve and get faster this year.”

“I have prepared carefully this year for the TT and Ulster, with some sound advice from experienced road racers. With the strong package behind us, I will be looking to be at the sharp end of the newcomers."

Phil would like to thank his friends, family and sponsors, notably PCR Motorcycle Developments, Holbeach Motorcycle Tyres, B&C Express, Fleetwood Grab Services, Objektum Modernisation, Astle BMW, WK Bikes, Merlin Leathers, Arrow Exhausts, Renthal and Tsubaki.

Tickets are now on sale and selling fast for the 2014 TT Races. Glencrutchery Road Grandstand race day tickets are sold out but there are still TT Fan Zone Grandstand tickets available at Ballacrye, Creg Ny Baa and Nobles Park during practice and race days. Grandstand tickets are also available by purchasing VIP or Platinum Hospitality tickets. All tickets are available from www.iomtt.com or by phoning 00 44 (0)1624 640000.

On Tuesday 21 January, the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) held a training day for volunteers participating in their ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project. Aston Martin Works kindly hosted this event in their new Heritage building, formerly known to many as ‘Olympia’.

The ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project is led by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Aston Martin Lagonda, Aston Martin Works, Aston Martin Heritage Trust and Aston Martin Owners Club. The aim is to bring together current and former Aston Martin employees, to tell the behind-the-scenes history of Aston Martin.

Current and former Aston Martin employees learnt about oral history and how to interview people using recording equipment. Roger Kitchen, an Oral History Society trainer and co-founder of the Living Archive in Milton Keynes introduced the day’s training by saying, “Everybody has a story to tell”.

The volunteers along with a similar group from Aston Martin Lagonda’s Gaydon headquarters will start by interviewing each other and then arrange interviews with people who are keen to share their stories of life at Aston Martin. The volunteer group will be supported by the Project team from the BMIHT Archive, where the recordings will be deposited for posterity, enabling future generations to learn about their industrial heritage.

The Heritage Motor Centre Gaydon near Warwick is currently hosting an ‘Aston Martin – A Century of Craftsmanship’ exhibition until December 2014. Admission to this new exhibition is included within the standard museum entry fees.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

The Lincolnshire Show takes place on Wednesday & Thursday June 18th & 19th 2014

Classic Motorcycles are welcomed for display in the classic vehicle section which is located near the main entrance. Bikes must be rideable, roadworthy, taxed, insured, mot’d. Bikes have to be on site by 8am latest & no exit till 6pm. Each Exhibitor gets 2 free entrance tickets per day - These are worth £22 per person.

I shall be erecting a 20ft x 10ft marquee on site for display, seating, rest area and a covered trailer will be adjacent for helmets/kit etc

A potted history of your machine will be required for the Show Brochure. Please contact me by 25th February 2014 to enter your bike for the show.

THIS IS OPEN TO ANY CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE OWNER please feel free to share

Alan Caine [email protected]  - 01472 851674