Resident at HC-One’s Cold Springs Park Care Home in Penrith is thrilled to see his daughter fulfil her dream when she pulls up to the home on a Triumph Bonneville, a motorbike that he helped to master.
Gill Silson, Ralph Vogwill's daughter, grew up as a teenager in Coventry and always had a dream to have a Triumph Bonneville motorbike.
Ralph worked at the Triumph Works in Meridgen from the 1950’s to the 1970’s and when the factory closed, Gill thought her dream had ended. He recently moved to Coldsprings Park after spending time in hospital.
During this stressful time, Gill’s husband Shaun Silson wanted to treat her and her dad to a surprise and arranged for an ex-pupil, Steve Ivinson, to take Gill out for a ride on his Bonneville.
Ralph couldn’t believe his eyes as he saw Gill ride up the road to Coldsprings Park on the motorbike. He was taken aback by seeing the beautiful bike and loved having a good look around it, noticing immediately that the design of the name “Triumph” is not quite the same as it was when he worked on them. He commented:
“It was amazing to see Gill fulfil her dream and ride a Triumph Bonneville, especially as it was a bike that I helped to master.”
Gill commented:
“What a treat to be able to ride a Triumph, which I have waited 40 years for. I’m so glad I got to share this experience with my dad.”