DAVE SILBURN - RIP

It was with the utmost heartfelt sadness that I learned today of the death of Dave Silburn on the morning of Sunday 25th September 2022.

Dave was a truly lovely man who, over many years, was a good friend and one of the best official Representatives & National Committee members that the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) had ever been blessed with, retiring only when repeated chest problems made it impossible for him to continue.

In addition to many years as an active NABD Rep, running stalls at events such as the Stafford Classic Motorcycle show and many others, Dave had spent a number of years administering the NABD’s Learner Loaner Scheme, in which he was instrumental in helping many disabled people to enter, or re-enter, the world of independent motorcycling.

Also, with a boundless energy that belied his advancing years, Dave organised and ran the ‘Hop & Barley Rally’ at Burton-Upon-Trent, with the invaluable assistance of the Unwanted MCC, raising thousands of pounds for the NABD each year in the process.

Known affectionately by many as “Grandad Dave” and/or “Gandalf” he was often the embodiment of a biker’s refusal to grow old gracefully, even throwing himself out of a perfectly good aircraft in his mid-70’s to raise funds for the NABD.

Latterly Dave had been suffering with dementia and chronic chest problems but he will be longremembered within the NABD as a man with the heart of a lion, a golden soul, an every-ready sense of fun and as an inspiration to so many of us.

The NABD, and the biking world as a whole, is much diminished by the loss of such a man!

RIP Dave, we were truly blessed to have known you and called you friend. xxx

Rick Hulse NABD Chairman

Open House Issue 102 19

Open House Issue 102