Midlands Carriagedriving (MC) bade an emotional farewell to Lesley West during its event at Onley Grounds Farm (31 July).

Following the sudden death of her husband, Dave, who was the incumbent MC Chairman, in October last year, Lesley has taken the momentous decision to move across the border to North Berwickshire to be near her sister and family.

Dave and Lesley joined what was then the Midlands Driving Trials Group in 1986. Lesley had been club secretary for over 20 years and was a welcome sight at all MC’s events, along with Pippa the Border Collie who always waited in the secretary’s caravan doorway to greet competitors. Poppy, another Border Collie, took over the role in more recent years.

It is only now that the club appreciates the huge input Lesley and Dave made and during an informal presentation at Onley, Club President George Spencer commented that MC could not thank Lesley enough for all her hard work.

Lesley was presented with a mounted and framed montage of photographs depicting moments from her and Dave’s time with MC. Although she might be lost to the club, Lesley is not leaving driving trials and hopes to be present at Hopetoun in 2022 as a steward.

Image: Lesley West is presented with a montage of photographs by Club President George Spencer with Current Chairman Dave Wheeldon (centre)

Credit Kingswood Associates

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