A lot of us in
Kirkby knew Gary Hesp, he was a local character - and many of us would know him
as the lad who drove round Kirkby on his bike with a ghetto blaster playing
the old Status Quo sounds! There must have been hundreds of visitors to Kirkby
who must have looked twice at the sight of Gary whizzing down Roughwood Drive
with 'Rocking all over the World' being pumped out of his CD or cassette Player.
Gary had a great love of stockcar racing and was the mascot for a local
stockcar racing team 'The Invaders' He was also a 'Karaoke Kid' who loved to get
up and perform the hits of Status Quo. He was also a regular at the Quarry green Tenants
Club and there he would be allowed to perform songs on stage with a live band. No prizes
for guessing which bands songs he sang! The lads and girls in Quarry green all have fond
memories of Gary, he was well liked there.
There was an excellent tribute to Gary in the Kirkby Extra (issue 179),
we hope they or Gary's Family don't mind Kirkby Times using the photo which
appeared there or some of the facts reported. Gary was a local living legend,
and now he is no longer with us he will always be remembered as part of the
history of this town and this community. To his family he is missed dearly,
to his friends and those who passed time with him, it is a sad loss. But,
whilst Gary lived, he bought a bit of laughter and joy, some of that will
always live on.
Below - photo of Gary which was featured in the Kirkby extra
There were some thank-you's given in the Kirkby Extra which
are reproduced here so that more people may share in the news.
Thanks go to local entertainers who paid tribute to Gary in a
fundraising event at Quarry Green Tenants Club - they include
The Carrol's, Frank Smith, Jimmy Keating (nice to see Blue Veins
former singer still going) comedy duo Impact, Four of You, plus
Danny and Brian for the Disco. More thanks go to local businesses
- David Lloyd, Val's Café, Keith (for the very big bottle of vodka)
and Lyndsey for the beauty treatment. Thanks to for Stan Woods and
'The Invaders' Stockcar racing Team. Also thanks to all those who
bought tickets and the many many people who attended Gary's Funeral.
The funeral itself was led by a specially painted Stock Car.
As was said in the Kirkby Extra, everyone will have there own special
memories of Gary, my last memory was having him head up behind me as I was
riding a bicycle, the sound of Rocking All over The World getting nearer
and nearer until he was overtaking me. I'm sure he was smiling as he
went past. That's the last time I remember seeing Gary Hesp - riding
off into the night on his bike. Hair blowing in the wind, music
drifting in the Kirkby night as he weaved his way around the
streets he loved. It's a sight many of us will miss.
Oh here we are and here we are and here we go
All aboard and we're hittin' the road
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
Well gidy up gidy up and get away
We're goin' crazy and we're goin' today
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-li-like it, li-li-li-like it
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
From the Song 'Rocking All Over The World' by Status Quo.
R.I.P Gary.
