Funeral motorbike escort wanted for John ‘the Stitcher’

JOHN the Stitcher (aka John Markham) former biker and talented, ingenious, and prolific leather craftsman extraordinaire and Oxfordshire legend who ran his own leather shop in Thame for many decades died 21 Aug 2016 after a fight with cancer. His wife and daughters welcome motorbikes to accompany John on his final journey to the Oxford Crematorium (Bayswater Rd, Barton, Oxford OX3 9RZ, a mere 4 miles away from procession depart point). Please arrive depart point about 2.pm on September 9,  to line up at the Coop Funeral Care Home, 2 Hendred Street, Cowley OX4 2ED (residential cul-de-sac) to help an organised timely departure. Please help give John a suitable send off – spread the word far and wide, and quickly as it’s only a few days away.

The late John ‘the Stitcher’ Markham, outside his leather work shop in Thame

John ran his ‘one-man-band’ crowded leather shop in Thame for 30 years and more, repairing and making new leather goods from the old item or your very rough sketch. Well known to bikers (as well as equestrians, classic car owners, classic airplane restorers, and film companies) as he was a biker himself before an accident prevented him from riding again. Check out his Facebook page ‘John the Stitcher’ to see photos of some of the amazing things he made. So sad to see him go; so glad to have known him, and shared a good story and a laugh with him. RIP John.

If you knew John the Stitcher, please consider signing up at the ‘Biker Escorts UK’ (Facebook group page) to escort John on his final journey. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1608974286040763/

SOURCE: Contributed by Al Shriver