ON MONDAY January 2, in glorious sunshine, approximately 200 people from the Crediton area took part in a Charity Bike Ride in memory of Garth Vaughan (17.12.62. – 21.10.16).

The cyclists rode along the cycle path beside the stunning Exe Estuary from Darts Farm to Exmouth and back again, about 11 miles in total.

Those taking part included representatives of Crediton Youth Football Club, Crediton Rugby Club, Touch Design, The President’s Men, Newton St Cyres Tennis Club, and many family friends and relatives.

Garth, himself a keen cyclist and tennis player, moved to Crediton five years ago, where he set up in business as a commercial photographer, having previously worked in New York and Florida with Disney.

The memorial bike ride was supported by Mike Sanders of the Bike Shed, who generously provided transport for about 25 bikes, and technical back up for the ride. Thankfully there was only one puncture!

The Vaughan family is also grateful to Darts Farm, Topsham, for parking -  and bike hire for a number of riders.

A special mention should be made of the Masonic Lodge in Exmouth too, who gave all the riders a great welcome, providing hot drinks and making their facilities freely available so the riders could rest and re-fuel before continuing the return journey.

Garth, who was born and brought up in Colorado, USA, was preparing to put on an exhibition of local portraits, shortly before he got lymphoma and died after a very short illness.

The exhibition, “Capturing Kirton”, is open to the public until January 31 and can currently be viewed in the ground floor offices of Charlesworth Nicholl, solicitors, 31 High Street, Crediton between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Money raised from the bike ride, nearly £6,000, will be divided between two charities: ELF and the Lymphoma Association.

Alan Quick