It's with great sadness to say that Mary Collard (proprietor of the Lion Royal Hotel, Rhayader) passed away on Sunday 14th September.
At 82 years of age she was a vocal & stalwart supporter of keeping the green lanes open. She dearly cared for every single biker who stayed at the hotel.
In her day she was quite capable of building a bike from scratch, could strip & rebuild an engine and thought nothing of riding around test tracks at high speed - or across Europe for that matter.
Several experiences of (as she used to put it) "munching on tarmac" might have dented her physically over the years but she remained an enthusiast for all things "bike" and a certified petrol head.
Despite coping with more pain than she would ever really admit to, she always said that if she had to live her time again she would live it just the same.
Her family, vast number of friends far & wide, and the whole of Rhayader will forever hold her dear to their hearts.
Look to the clouds & know that Mary is roaring along on some glorious motorcycle in a place where speed limits don't apply.
Funeral & remembrance details will be posted on
http://www.facebook.com/lionroyal when available.
In this time of darkness the hotel is temporarily closed. I am watching over Mary's email and will forward messages to her family.
With saddest regards & fondest memories of my dear friend,
Chris.