Police are seeking witnesses to a tragic collision which claimed the life of Penrith woman Wendy Wilson, who was a familiar figure cycling and running on Cumbria’s roads and fells.
Wendy, 70, was was cycling on the B5320 near Tirril at around 10.30am on Sunday, May 28, when her bicycle was in collision with a motorcycle. She did not regain consciousness and died as a result of her injuries on Saturday in the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.
A female motorcyclist from the Carlisle area who was involved in the collision is not believed to have been injured.
This week, Cumbria police appealed for information from witnesses to the incident or the moments leading up to it. Anyone who can help is urged to ring 101. A detailed investigation into the cause of the crash is being carried out by specialist officers.
Wendy, who covered hundreds of miles on her bike around some of the area’s most challenging routes, was the wife of Herald photographer Fred Wilson. They were due to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary later this year.
Speaking this week, Fred, who has photographed generations of Eden people in his more than 40 years with the newspaper, said: “Wendy was a wonderful person, a great wife, mother and grandmother. She always had a smile and simply loved life.”
He described her as a true lover of nature and the outdoors who took huge pleasure in the sights and sounds of the natural world around her.
He paid heartfelt tribute to the emergency services who helped at the crash and afterwards.
“I want to thank the police who drove me to the RVI and brought me back to Penrith on the day of the accident,” said Fred. “And I also want to thank the Great North Air Ambulance Service who airlifted Wendy to hospital, and the BEEP Doctors who went to the scene of the accident and cared for Wendy. I thank the staff at the RVI for their help and kindness, and all the many people who have sent me cards and messages.”
Wendy was born in Carlisle and at a young age was adopted by Penrith couple Robert and Barbara Horsley. Robert was himself a newspaper man, as the last serving editor of the Penrith Observer.
Wendy attended Brunswick Road School and then Tynefield, before embarking on a long career in office administration which saw her work for a number of local firms.
For the last several years she worked as a receptionist at Dent and Co accountants, of Scotland Road, Penrith, where she was extremely happy and valued her wonderful colleagues highly.
Fred and Wendy were married in 1973, after meeting when she was working on reception at the Armstrong and Fleming garage. They went on to have two sons — Donald, who lives in Oman, and Jonathan, of Brighton. They had one granddaughter, Cameron.
After they were married, Fred and Wendy lived in Foster Street, Penrith for a while, before a move to Stainton and then, 42 years ago, back to Penrith.
In her later 30s, Wendy discovered running, a sport which was to become a passion. Over the years she took part in several marathons and half-marathons, where she acquitted herself well.
Cycling followed, and Wendy was soon tackling punishing routes such as Hartside Pass and Martindale Pass on a regular basis.
If Fred was working in Kendal, Ambleside or other distant locations, Wendy would often bike down to meet him, then hitch a ride back in the car.
She was also a familiar face for many years at spinning classes at Penrith Leisure Centre.
While out and about running or cycling, Wendy would regularly stop and chat with a whole range of people and made many friends across a wide area.
Another passion, shared with Fred, was the couple’s dogs — labradors, spaniels and Gordon Setters — which played a huge part in their lives.
Their current dogs, Hamish, a Gordon Setter; Piper, a springer spaniel; and particularly Finlay, a cocker spaniel, were adored by Wendy.
They spent many, many happy hours walking on Helton Moor with the dogs and this became a place very dear to Wendy’s heart.
A true animal lover, Wendy was also very proud to accompany Fred when he was invited to open the new Eden Animal Rescue centre at Newbiggin, Temple Sowerby.
A funeral is to be held at the Eden Valley Crematorium, Temple Sowerby, on Friday, June 16 at 12.30pm.
The family requests that people do not wear black, but come in bright colours. There will be a gathering afterwards at Penrith Cricket Club, to which all are welcome. Richardson’s Funeral Directors, of Penrith, have charge of the arrangements.
Donations will be divided between the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the BEEP Doctors.
An inquest is to be held later in the year.
