It is with great sadness that we pass on the news that John Bates died on the 27th February 2022.
Jane Isaac writes:
John and Sarah have been such an important part of the Hopetoun National and FEI events ever since I took over as the Event Organiser in 2008, and probably long before that. The sight of the Bates Sound entourage rolling into Hopetoun through the Blue Gate really signified the start of the event.
It was only at the last National/FEI event before Covid shut us down that he and Sarah finally admitted that it was time for the A Team to help with knocking in the posts for the radio masts! John was always charming and helpful and I am sure that Sarah will miss his support terribly – we all will.
On a personal note, my memory will be of John being a wonderful friend to Louise and me, not only sorting out the microphones, speakers, radios and all the communications so vital to us as scorers – but just anything we needed help with at Hopetoun. He had a lovely, gentle sense of humour, always had a twinkle in his eye, and as Jane says, we will all miss him.
Mike McCutcheon