Andrew Macfarlane, one of the club’s oldest members passed away peacefully on the 14th January 2015 at The Manor House Residential Home Little Weighton aged 88.

 

Mac was a long-term member of the club and a Life Member. Andrew was always referred to as ‘Mac’ by his club mates and cycling acquaintances.

 

His cycling days started in the late 1940s. Mac a plumber by trade was a teenager during the second world war, too young to join the forces, but old enough to act as a cycle messenger for the ARP.

 

Based at Newland Avenue, this job entailed carrying messages from one post to another during the Blitz, if the phone lines were down, informing the wardens if there were any people trapped, probably needing medical assistance and shelter after houses were damaged by the raids, reporting unexploded bombs, and any other services where required.

 

After the war years, cycling took off in great style, and in Hull cycling clubs were once again flourishing. Andrew’s cycling years commenced with him joining the Hull Reindeer CC and going on cycling holidays and weekend Youth Hostelling trips.

 

Around 1946/7 He became involved with a new club setting up in Hull, the Hull Kingston Phoenix CC in which he was a founder member. He then started time-trialling, and after a short stay with the Phoenix he moved clubs once again during 1948 to Hull Thursday Road Club, where he raced at club level and rode in open events.

 

During the late 50s he met Betty who was to become his wife, and at around this time he took a welding course, and this changed his working career. He began working as a pipe fitter on oil refineries and gas installations. This meant that he worked away from home for most of his working life, and for long periods at a time, travelling the world and visiting India, Russia, Nigeria and Indonesia, Belgium and Ireland, to name but a few.

 

Due to working away from home his cycling activity was curtailed for a while, however, on returning back to England during 1968 to work he rejoined the club. When he was working down South this allowed him to catch up with his club mates. He worked in Wales for a time and this also allowed him to get out on a bike and ride round the Welsh countryside. He also rode a few time trials whilst he was there.

 

He and Betty later bought a caravan and joined the other club members in enjoying holidays and weekends away.

 

Sadly, Betty became ill and her health deteriorated. She passed away in December 2006.

 

After Mac retired from work in 1988 he got more involved in the running of the club, taking on a more active role as the club treasurer – the post he held for 10 years. During this time he was made a life member of the club. Sadly his health deteriorated and in the past few years he was in and out of hospital.

 

Mac finally moved to The Manor House in Little Weighton at the end of 2013 where he spent his remaining days.

 

Mac’s funeral will take place at 11am on 6th February at the Small Chapel, Chanterlands Avenue Crematorium, Hull.

 

Ron Nozedar