Norman Crooks recieves the BEM

Popular race secretary for the Cookstown & District Motor Cycle Club ltd, Norman Crooks, received his BEM Honorary Medal, for services to the Sport. Unfortunately, due to the current Pandemic situation, There weren’t the usual presentation services.

Now in his 74^th year, Norman, a native of Moneymore, Co Londonderry/Derry, is one of the most popular faces amongst the motorcycle race organizers around the country.

Better known to many as ‘Daddy Crooks’, the father of two, first joined the Cookstown & District MCC in October 1968, and after being assistant race secretary for a few years was promoted to race secretary in 1979 and has remained in this position since.

Looking back over the years, Norman has seen many changes in the sport, and even more so, within his local club.

Not one for hogging the limelight, Norman prefers to work away in the background, the months before the annual race event are the busiest for any race secretary, but the former Company Rep is always well organized,” I usually start my preparations in December, getting entries sent out to all competitors, plus other bookwork, which continues throughout the year. I’ve built up a great repertoire with competitors over the years, most riders known on a personal basis these days. The Pandemic situation certainly changed many things, but we still managed to get our race over, and fingers crossed, we can do likewise this year. Like many, Norman has one goal, along with fellow club members, he is looking forward to the Cookstown 100 100^th anniversary in 2022. “It’s being part of a great club, that gets me up in the morning,” laughed Norman, as he proudly showed off his British Empire Medal.

Photo; Norman Crooks BEM, The popular race secretary proudly shows off his Honorary BEM Medal, at the start /finish line of the Cookstown 100 race circuit.

Pic Credit; Baylon McCaughey