please log in to view this image Hundreds of bikers have paid tribute to a former Rock City security boss who died last month. A video supplied by @Newsflare/Matthew Lockhart shows flocks of bikers riding through Sutton-in-Ashfield in a procession for Derek Rate. Rate, known by friends and family as 'Rat', worked at the famous Nottingham club during the 1980s and 90s. This couldn't be any more off topic but this fella was a big part of my life for many years and I just wanted to mark his passing, more for myself than anyone else. As time goes by more and more of 'my heroes' in real life, music, etc, take their leave and shuffle off this mortal coil. I'm sure some people will cheer at his passing and that's fair enough, he wouldn't expect any different. I had many laughs with him, even though I found him very scary, and wished I could've been to the funeral, the video is quite impressive and shows how much he was respected. My favourite Rat story was when I was living in Nice. A son called, in a real state, because the Hardy family were after him after he'd dumped one of their girls. I called Rat and started looking for flights as the family were seriously bad news if you crossed them. A couple of hours later Rob called and said they'd called to apologise and said it was all a big misunderstanding Rat didn't ever mention it and refused 'a drink' for his assistance when I visited. Rest in peace mate, another one bites the dust. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news...AY9Rq4caBKWrBLQ5ry0uTNyLCMVvYDqTrZ69-a5T93s6s
That's some send-off, he must have made a few friends somewhere along the line. The bikers equivalent of a state funeral?
Very impressive turnout, obviously well respected. I was in Penrith yesterday, and the streets were lined with mourners obviously waiting for a funeral cortege, there was black traffic cones with 'funeral' printed on them closing off the square in the centre of town, so I I'm assuming that was also for somebody of note. I do like to see a good turnout for the departed, shows that respect is still important.
Pretty much mate, doesn't get much better tbh. There were Hells Angels from all over the world. Rat was someone who made a massive impression on everyone he met, for better or for worse. I was just looking through some of the old photos of us together and thinking about the old days. Some of the people I can call friends are extraordinary and from all walks of life ... ... I don't know if that counts for anything but it feels like something to me. Perhaps we care for people because they care for us, who knows eh?
Massive amount of bikers drove past mine for a good few hours yesterday. I made the assumption it was for a funeral.
Wow, that was really something else.....seriously impressive. I would love to have seen that, love the noise of those bikes. Liked the biker who signalled to the nissan driver to back off.....
Tremendous mate! Colin is getting repatriated to his native Northern Ireland, his coffin will be in Angels Place Thursday night(23rd) and the lads leave at half 8 Friday morning to escort his coffin across to Belfast from Cairnryan.
I'm only 40 minutes away but wouldn't go these days. Most of the lads I used to see have passed now, or been invited to spend a little time at one of HMs facilities. I used to ride to Kent Bike Show and Amsterdam with them and have some great memories ... ... but that's in the past now, time to let go.
