TRIBUTES have been paid to an 83-year-old Worcester motorcycling club member man who died in a crash near Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds.
Rupert Clarkson, from Droitwich, died following a two-vehicle collision on the B4081 Campden Road between Mickleton and Chipping Campden.
He had been travelling on his KTM 390 Duke motorcycle at the time of the collision.
In a statement, Rupert’s family said: “Rupert absolutely loved riding his motorbike – it was a lifelong passion of his.
“He was part of two clubs that were close to his heart – the WAC Motorcycle Club and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).”
The family added every Sunday Rupert would meet up with other riders and they would ride out together – he had a huge amount of love for the clubs and his fellow riders.
“Rupert was a loving husband, father of two and grandfather to three children,” they added.
“He was a well established mechanic back in the 1970s and 1980s around the Vale of Evesham, and he then moved onto Droitwich to start a garden machinery business with his son.”
During his relaxing downtime, Rupert loved gardening, in particular, growing fuchsias with his wife.
“He always enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and dogs,” the family said.
“Rupert will be missed dearly by all of his family and friends.”
The WAC Motorcycle Club also paid tribute to ‘one of the club’s stalwarts’ on Facebook.
“Rupert had come late in life to motorcycling, but this didn’t dampen his enthusiasm and he soon had a ROSPA gold award, and thousands of miles under his belt,” the club posted.
“Always ready to lend advice, for many years on the committee and a necessary role as the club ‘gardener’ – only payment required- a Newcastle Brown Ale.
“We send our condolences to his wife, and family. I know you’ll want to send your best wishes, along with us all at the WAC, to them at this difficult time.”
The family has asked for any donations in Rupert’s memory to be made to Great Western Air Ambulance, which covers Gloucestershire.
Visit the website great westernairambulance.com to donate.
