Circulates throughout the world Established 1903

Mr Peppler

For many years during the 1950s the three of us drove to the West of England Trial in Jim’s Riley, usually to compete though by 1961 we were spectators.

Jim rode a 500T Norton at one time, but later rode a 197cc Francis- Barnett, as did Jack and I. Jim rode in many National and Open to Centre trials and was at one time a regular award winner, but I don’t remember him having a works James. He was a great character, often referred to by the lads as ‘Gentleman Jim’ because of his refined manner! He was Jack’s great friend and was best man at our wedding in 1958.

When I first knew him in 1950 he lived with his mother in the farmhouse in Waltham Chase and I can remember watching him milk a cow! They also had cress beds, in Cheriton I believe). After his mother’s death, he moved to Four Marks while he was head teacher at a Petersfield school, and later became Headmaster of Bartley School in the New Forest and lived in Whiteparish. There are still some of his old pupils around who can remember his popularity, although sadly, he is no longer with us.

Mrs Gwen White
Romsey, Hampshire.

Ps. Since Mick Brown mentioned the Perce Simon Trial reunion in his letter, I would be grateful if you would allow me to announce the date and details of the next one, perhaps in a different part of your magazine. (See the news pages). You may be interested to know that my late husband Jack won the first post WWII Perce Simon in 1946 on his 350cc Ariel.