Les Ladbury

[TonyS]

Sad news from the Beacon. Some of our older members will remember Les Ladbury. I was privileged to have known and ridden with him. He and Ann had a photography and picture framing studio at the Jinny Ring for several years. They were keen fell walkers and I have two or three framed photos he took in and around Great Langdale.

Below is copied from the Beacon site, courtesy of George Barker :

"Sadly, the club has lost another of its culture-defining characters. Les Ladbury died on Sunday at the age of 78. He had a degenerative lung condition, which he had known for some time was incurable; as far as we know his death had nothing to do with the current public health crisis.

Les started with the Speedwell BC, before switching to the Beacon in about 1960. He soon became a central figure in club life, with his dry wit and flair for sometimes provocative but always affectionate repartee. Racing on the road and the track, Les showed himself to be a wily tactician, often outwitting opponents who otherwise would have had the edge.

Les was originally a draftsman by profession but enjoyed a second career as a professional photographer. His meticulous and precise nature made him well suited to both roles and gained him a reputation within the club for invariably riding an immaculate machine.

Lifelong Francophiles, Les and wife Anne bought a second home in France and spent a large part of their later years on the Gallic side of the Channel.

Unfortunately, the present circumstances make it unlikely we can give Les the send-off he deserves."

[ChrisP]

Sad news about Les.

Raced with him on many occasions in the 60's and 70's.

Also spent a couple of hours in the shop at Jinny Ring some years ago

and chatted about racing days.

Last time we met up was at a boozers run at The Swan Chaddesley Corbett some years back.

 R..I.P. Les