We learnt from Facebook of Roy’s tragic and unexpected death, after becoming unwell and requiring an emergency operation in Alicante, Spain while cycling from his home in Portugal to England, via a number of countries.
This is such sad news as Roy was looking forward to his long bike trip to England to visit friends here in Pendle.
He supported many causes based on the Universal Principles of Social and Environmental Justice and Peace including the SELRAP Campaign to reopen the Colne - Skipton Railway as well as CND, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Keep East Lancashire Frack Free.
As the Warden at the Earby Youth and Community Centre, he hosted meetings of Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership and promoted the Scheme in the Town and Pendle.
Roy was involved in the SELRAP Campaign from its inception in 2001. His main contribution, as Treasurer, was to gather strong support for the Project by getting Councils, Businesses and other Stakeholders on board.
His love of cycling made him determined to improve road safety by developing an integrated and connected Public Transport system and by rebuilding the railway with a multi user pathway alongside the rail track. This would encourage the transfer from road to rail and stop the need to develop any new roads and so reduce our carbon footprint.
Our abiding memory of Roy is of a very principled and dedicated person who would not waver from what he thought was the right course of action to take in order for humanity to live in a just, peaceful and greener world.
Roy was a beacon of light and hope in a divided and broken world.
He will be sorely missed by all who loved and cared for him.
Dave Penney
Vice Chair, Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership
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