Multi-world champion to open big road safety day in Uckfield

Multi-world champion John Surtees is to open a big road safety day in Uckfield next month.

Surtees, the only man to win a world title on two wheels and four wheels, will be at the town’s road safety day on Thursday, June 24.

Children from 11 schools – Blackboys, Buxted, Harlands, High Hurstwood, Holy Cross, Little Horsted, Manor, Bonners (Maresfield), Nutley, Rocks Park and St Philip’s - will attend the event on the Luxford Field.

The event is brought together by town councillor Jim Molesworth Edwards, himself a keen motor-cyclist in his younger days.

Many organisations will be supporting the road safety day including Sussex Police, the fire service and the county highways department.

On display will be veteran vehicles and a steam traction engine.

Local man Matthew Dix will also be present with his sidecar racing outfit to emphasise to the pupils that speed is for the racetrack and not the road.

The aim of the day is to get the road safety message over to children.

Sponsorship is needed and local businesses were asked to help at a meeting of Uckfield Chamber of Commerce last night at the Ashdown Forest Llama Park.

If you would like to help please contact Mr Molesworth Edwards via the town council.

*John Surtees won seven motor-cycling world championships between 1956 and 1960 and the F1 world championship in 1964 driving a Ferrari. He was also an accomplished sports car driver.

(Added to site Thursday, May 20th, 2010)