MELVYN GIBSON
22nd January 1944 – 3rd June 2018
Very sadly Melvyn Gibson – a long standing, much respected and hard working C. A. Rhodes Trustee – died suddenly whilst
cycling with his wife Hazel near Wighill, Wetherby on 3rd June 2018.
At the time of his passing Mel had been a Trustee for almost 30 years and had been the Trust’s Defender since 2004 and both
Defender and Presenter since 2014, tasks which he carried out with ability and humour. Mel had an intimate knowledge of the
non-competitive side of cycling but he took pride in the achievements of Yorkshire cyclists from all branches of the sport and
pastime and provided a balance to the deliberations of the Trustee when deciding on the Award. Mel will be missed by all who
knew him.
2018 AWARD TO BE MADE TO DAVID HALL
Yorkshire cycling has formally recognised David Hall, a leading visionary in the need to promote sustainable transport such as cycling, by provision of cycle paths and other infrastructure.
David Hall was Yorkshire Regional Director of Sustrans for 20 years from 1994, responsible for conceiving, constructing and management of projects as part of the National Cycle Network. During that period Sustrans had offices in both Leeds and York and developed schemes throughout the county. Their most notable successes were the Spen Valley Greenway (Bradford to Dewsbury), the Nidderdale Greenway (Harrogate to Ripley), the Great Northern Rail Trail (Cullingworth to Queensbury, yet to be completed) and the Wetherby to Newton Kyme Railway Path. As a part of their work Sustrans reopened dormant railway viaducts at Nidd (Harrogate), Earlsheaton, Colne Bridge, West Vale (Halifax), Cullingworth, Hewenden, Thornton, Whitby and at Chain Bar (Cleckheaton), where the viaduct crosses 14 lanes of the M62. All of these projects have breathed new life into redundant facilities and have benefitted surrounding communities by providing easily accessible and safe routes for cycling and walking as an alternative to car transport.
David also led Sustrans co-operation with partners on the Trans Pennine Trail, the Way of the Roses, the York Milennium Bridge, the York Strays routes and the “Big Red Bridge” over Manchester Road in Bradford, which provides a safe road crossing for hundreds of school children. In addition Sustrans managed behaviour change projects to encourage cycling, by working with local schools, colleges and universities.
Many people were caught up in David’s passion for Sustrans work. He enlisted support from local authority officers, community groups, schools, cycling enthusiasts and organisations, heritage and nature conservation experts and, most importantly, volunteers. David modestly gives credit to all of these for Sustrans successes and considers himself very lucky to have been appointed as Sustrans Regional Director during such as exciting period of cycling promotion and development across the UK.
The C. A. Rhodes Award will be presented at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation annual luncheon, to be held on Sunday 24th February 2019.