Biker's tragic death

THE funeral took place on Wednesday of father-of-two Graham Chapman who died in a motorcycle accident in France while heading for a family holiday in Spain.

The 44-year-old who moved to High Hurstwood from Crowborough two-and-a-half years ago was known for his tremendous zest for life and an enthusiasm that carried everybody along with him.

His funeral was held at the village church and mourners gathered afterwards at the village hall.

Mr Chapman, who worked for Sidlow Garages at East Grinstead, leaves his wife Vivienne and two children Amy (9) and Jack (6), who both attend the village school.

Mr Chapman died in Tours on the first day of a long distance journey with an old friend from Gloucestershire.

The two planned to make their way down to Spain to meet Vivienne and the children but Mr Chapman's bike was involved in a collision with another vehicle and his friend found himself phoning home from the kerbside with news of his death.

Bikers travelling the same route broke their journey to comfort Mr Chapman's friend and travel home with him several days later. An insurance company arranged for Mr Chapman to be brought home.

Outgoing

Vivienne's parents Barry and Betty Lucas came to High Hurstwood from their Gloucestershire home to be with their daughter and grandchildren.

Mrs Lucas described her son-in-law as outgoing and very interested in the area in which the family lived. They were very happy in High Hurstwood, she said.

'Graham will be remembered most of all for his tremendous zest for life. He carried everyone along with his enthusiasm.'

Mr Lucas said Mr Chapman was a devoted father. 'He was the only person I know to spend so much time with his children. He would always stop whatever he was doing for the children.'

Mr Chapman was the youngest child of Mrs Joyce Chapman and the late Mr Ronald Chapman of Sedlescombe, East Sussex. He grew up in Croydon and near Hastings and met his wife while working for Mitsubishi Colt in Cirencester, Gloucs.

He was very interested in cars and motorcycles, well known in the car trade, and was a go-karting enthusiast while Vivienne enjoys showjumping. She shares an interest in horses with daughter Amy who has her own pony.

Vivienne works for Fidelity, an investment company at Tonbridge. She is on the fund-raising committee at her children's school.

Mr and Mrs Lucas said it was still unclear to them how the accident happened on June 1 just days before he was due to meet the rest of his family on June 6.

The coroner's office, based at Eastbourne, has been informed of Mr Chapman's death but was unable to say this week whether an inquest would be held.