Hundreds of bikers at Market Drayton tribute to James
The sound of revving engines filled Market Drayton’s streets as hundreds of bikers descended on the town in memory of one of their own.
People stopped in their tracks yesterday as the procession roared through Cheshire Street on its way to St Mary’s Church for the funeral of James Greenwood.
The former soldier died, aged 61, in Cumbria in early April. The parade set off from the car park off the A529, near to JR Williams Funeral Home, and travelled through and along The Burgage, where more bikers were waiting to welcome the hearse.
As it turned into the street, the riders revved their engines as a mark of respect.
They then travelled along Queen Street and into Cheshire Street, where shoppers were coming out into the street to capture the moment on their mobile phones.
From Cheshire Street the procession rejoined the A529 and turned into Church Street.
Family and friends of James gathered outside the church as the bikers each drove past them, revving their engines as they went by.
Instead of accepting flowers, the Greenwood family were collecting money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, Combat Stress and the Midlands Air Ambulance.
James was killed on a road in Cumbria in early April.
Police arrested three people following the incident – two men and a woman from West Cumbria – in connection with the collision. They have since been released under investigation.
His family called him a “larger than life” personality, with family and friends at the centre of everything he did. “His death has left a hole in our family that will never be filled,” they said.
Gail, James’s former wife, said there had been an outpouring of love from people wanting to come to the funeral.
"We're grateful that people have come from all over the country, and we would like to thank everyone," she said. "It is such a lovely gesture."
