Geoff Duke was the person who made me the TTFan I am today........My parents and I were staying in the Regal Hotel and other residents were the father, mother and sister of Jack and Charlie Brett....The lads stayed elsewhere but had popped in to see their parents on their way to the evenings presentations at the Villa Marina....With them came the man who had finished second in that days Junior Race . Geoff Duke......While Jack and Charlie talked to their parents I actually got on talking to Geoff and asked him a number of questions about the Norton etc.

He gave me his precious time and was enough impressed with my knowledge and keenness at that time (my 3rd year at the TT) that when I arrived home I received a parcel in which was his Junior race back number and a lovely letter.

We often chatted obver the subsequent years and he helped me to commemorate my 60 years as a TT fan in 2007........

In 1955 I pushed a pram round the paddock for Geraldine Reid, Geoffs sister in law...In the pram was Peter Duke Geoffs son !

I am proud to have known Geoff for all these years..........and very sad that has passed on.