A teenager who was named the best young marshal at last year’s Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT events but took his own life just weeks later was remembered at a small service at Appledene.
A commemorative tree was dedicated to Conor Cosgrove-Turner who visited the island in 2013 from Scotland as a helper with competitor Ian Pert’s Hadzup Racing team.
Lay preacher John Marchment blessed the tree, a Sorbus Joseph Rock, and a permanent plaque is to be placed by it showing the dates 1996 to 2013 and the words: ‘Member of the Hedzup Racing Team. Race marshal, faithful friend and genuine soul’.
Marshals’ chairman Terry Holmes said Conor had embraced marshalling during his fortnight’s stay with such enthusiasm they awarded him the Steve Judkin trophy for the best young marshal at the marshals’ supper last year.
‘By the end of the two weeks he was fully qualified as a marshal. He had even completed an Incident Management Course, He was so keen, it was brilliant, and he was a lovely lad,’ Mr Holmes said.
Deputy sector marshal John Hocking, who is part of the Appledene team, said after initially being shy Conor had blossomed to be a valuable member of the team, who it had been a pleasure to work with.
Travelling marshal Jim Hunter said special permission had been given to plant the tree in the field at the side of the road at Appledene.