TRIBUTE - DON LOCK
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On a peaceful summer evening on July 16, 2015 Don Lock left Washington after attending one of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club Evening 10 time trials and spending time with his Club mates, before setting off to drive home to Worthing. On the journey he was involved in a slight car crash. Unfortunately, the driver of the other car was a paranoid schizophrenic who stabbed Don to death.
Don’s death had a huge impact on both Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club and the wider cycling fraternity. ‘Legend’ is a much over-used expression in this day and age. Generally it refers to an aspect of a person’s character, or talent in a particular field. Rarely does it combine both factors in one individual.
Don was such an individual – a genuine sporting talent in his chosen field and an amazing human being who was generous in both nature and spirit in encouraging and supporting others.
Don started his cycling career as a founder member of the East Grinstead Cycling Club. His association with Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club started on 6th August, 1960 when he handed over his subscription of half-a-crown to become a second claim member but, an 3rd January, 1961, he parted with a whole 7/6 to become a full Club member.
When it came to racing, Don was, primarily, a time-triallist at every distance from 10 miles to the full 24 hours. In fact, Don still holds the Club record for the 24 hour event with a distance of over 428 miles – a record he set in 1971 and has never been beaten.
Don was a truly talented rider and, throughout his racing career, he held many Club records and won many trophies. Don also rode in place-to-place records and still holds the Club records for Worthing to Haywards Heath and return, and the Worthing to Chichester and return distances.
No one has been as committed to Worthing Excelsior as Don. In his Club career he held many official and unofficial posts. He has been Treasurer; Timekeeper; Handicapper; Magazine Editor; Social Secretary; Press Secretary; Radio Broadcaster; Record Keeper; Clothing Officer; Event Organiser; Quiz Master; Baggage Carrier; Advisor; Supporter; Comforter; Mentor.... but, most importantly a friend to the Club and everyone in cycling.
Don was not only an example to all members of the Club, but also an example to the wider cycling community with his positive attitude and exceptional sense of humour, and his amazing grit and determination was, perhaps, a key in his successful fight against Cancer.
Don was referred to as a ‘Legend’ and - yes – Don Lock was such an individual. He was such a genuine sporting talent and an amazing human being for whom helping, support and encouraging the people around him was second nature.
He is sorely missed, but his memory will live on in the Don Lock Memorial Evening 10 series promoted each year by Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club.
Don’s death had a huge impact on both Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club and the wider cycling fraternity. ‘Legend’ is a much over-used expression in this day and age. Generally it refers to an aspect of a person’s character, or talent in a particular field. Rarely does it combine both factors in one individual.
Don was such an individual – a genuine sporting talent in his chosen field and an amazing human being who was generous in both nature and spirit in encouraging and supporting others.
Don started his cycling career as a founder member of the East Grinstead Cycling Club. His association with Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club started on 6th August, 1960 when he handed over his subscription of half-a-crown to become a second claim member but, an 3rd January, 1961, he parted with a whole 7/6 to become a full Club member.
When it came to racing, Don was, primarily, a time-triallist at every distance from 10 miles to the full 24 hours. In fact, Don still holds the Club record for the 24 hour event with a distance of over 428 miles – a record he set in 1971 and has never been beaten.
Don was a truly talented rider and, throughout his racing career, he held many Club records and won many trophies. Don also rode in place-to-place records and still holds the Club records for Worthing to Haywards Heath and return, and the Worthing to Chichester and return distances.
No one has been as committed to Worthing Excelsior as Don. In his Club career he held many official and unofficial posts. He has been Treasurer; Timekeeper; Handicapper; Magazine Editor; Social Secretary; Press Secretary; Radio Broadcaster; Record Keeper; Clothing Officer; Event Organiser; Quiz Master; Baggage Carrier; Advisor; Supporter; Comforter; Mentor.... but, most importantly a friend to the Club and everyone in cycling.
Don was not only an example to all members of the Club, but also an example to the wider cycling community with his positive attitude and exceptional sense of humour, and his amazing grit and determination was, perhaps, a key in his successful fight against Cancer.
Don was referred to as a ‘Legend’ and - yes – Don Lock was such an individual. He was such a genuine sporting talent and an amazing human being for whom helping, support and encouraging the people around him was second nature.
He is sorely missed, but his memory will live on in the Don Lock Memorial Evening 10 series promoted each year by Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club.
Pre-event details of the sculpture unveiling from Andrew Lock.
In the summer of 2015 my late father, Don Lock was killed by a mental health patient in Findon Valley. Over the subsequent weeks and months, many people made donations towards some type of memorial in my father’s name.
After a lot of hard work exploring designs, suitable locations, planning permissions and sourcing the necessary materials we can finally unveil the commemorative sculpture on the promenade adjacent to the new Bayside development on Worthing seafront.
The plan is to carry out a brief ceremony to unveil the stone sculpture with a few words and to give all those people and businesses that donated money a chance to be there in person. We intend to unveil the stones at 11.30am on Saturday 30th October 2021 and it would be great if your publication could support this to let the public know.
There will be a plaque adjacent to the sculpture which will include the following words to provide some background and context to the sculpture:-
In July 2015 Don Lock was killed in an unprovoked knife attack at the age of 79, 2 weeks after having been given the all clear from prostate cancer.
Don had been a Worthing resident for over 55 years and a member of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club all of that time too. As a member, as well as organising, supporting and being a long term member of the club committee he had raced competitively well into his 70’s, at distances from 10miles to 100miles as well as 12hr and 24hr long races. At the time of this stone being placed, he was still a holder of the club record of 429 miles for the 24hr.
As well as his cycling, Don worked for local solicitors Miller Parris for over 40 years providing guidance and support through his work to many people.
In July 2015 when Don was killed there was an overwhelming expression of shock and drive to raise funds for some type of memorial. This was not just from local people, but from the whole country and abroad, from all walks of life and a massive amount from the nationwide cycling community. Many people started making donations, fund raising events were held and a large donation from the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club culminated in creating this sculpture of substance and meaning.
The family of Don Lock would like to thank everyone for the amazing support they received through such a difficult time and hope that this sculpture will provide inspiration for many people, for many years, to take up cycling, explore the countryside and create many friendships along the way.
In the summer of 2015 my late father, Don Lock was killed by a mental health patient in Findon Valley. Over the subsequent weeks and months, many people made donations towards some type of memorial in my father’s name.
After a lot of hard work exploring designs, suitable locations, planning permissions and sourcing the necessary materials we can finally unveil the commemorative sculpture on the promenade adjacent to the new Bayside development on Worthing seafront.
The plan is to carry out a brief ceremony to unveil the stone sculpture with a few words and to give all those people and businesses that donated money a chance to be there in person. We intend to unveil the stones at 11.30am on Saturday 30th October 2021 and it would be great if your publication could support this to let the public know.
There will be a plaque adjacent to the sculpture which will include the following words to provide some background and context to the sculpture:-
In July 2015 Don Lock was killed in an unprovoked knife attack at the age of 79, 2 weeks after having been given the all clear from prostate cancer.
Don had been a Worthing resident for over 55 years and a member of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club all of that time too. As a member, as well as organising, supporting and being a long term member of the club committee he had raced competitively well into his 70’s, at distances from 10miles to 100miles as well as 12hr and 24hr long races. At the time of this stone being placed, he was still a holder of the club record of 429 miles for the 24hr.
As well as his cycling, Don worked for local solicitors Miller Parris for over 40 years providing guidance and support through his work to many people.
In July 2015 when Don was killed there was an overwhelming expression of shock and drive to raise funds for some type of memorial. This was not just from local people, but from the whole country and abroad, from all walks of life and a massive amount from the nationwide cycling community. Many people started making donations, fund raising events were held and a large donation from the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club culminated in creating this sculpture of substance and meaning.
The family of Don Lock would like to thank everyone for the amazing support they received through such a difficult time and hope that this sculpture will provide inspiration for many people, for many years, to take up cycling, explore the countryside and create many friendships along the way.
