For 50 years John Parton has been visiting the Island for the TT, always staying in Ramsey.
In recognition of his loyalty to the town Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Andy Cowie invited Mr Parton and his wife Sue, who live in Kingswinford in the West Midlands, to Ramsey town hall to present him with an engraved silver quaich.
Joining them were Mr Parton’s niece and her husband, Beverley and Simon Smith from Shropshire, also fans of the town and the TT and who, on June 5, 2014, became the first couple to be married in the town hall after Ramsey Town Commissioners assumed responsibility for the civil registry service for Ramsey and the north. ‘Uncle John inspired me about the TT when I was just four years old,’ said Mrs Knight who chose to wear biking leathers for her wedding, which took place during the Sidecar Race 2 event.
Mr Parton, a retired electrician, said: ‘My grandfather used to come for the TT and I was just 15 when I first visited. I stayed in Ramsey then and I’ve been staying in and around the town ever since.’
The early years saw him stay on a camp site on Lezayre Road where the Kerroo Glass sheltered housing complex now stands and where he became such a familiar figure that he became the keeper of the keys for the site’s toilet block. He later graduated to bricks and mortar, staying in bed and breakfast accommodation but now he and Mrs Parton - a TT visitor and Ramsey fan of 30 years’ standing herself – bring their camper van which they park at the property of one of their many friends in the town.
Mr Parton, who has already booked his 2018 TT sailings, said: ‘The area around Parliament Square has become our favourite spot for watching the racing. Everyone’s so friendly and we meet lots of people we’ve come to know over the years. There’s such a great atmosphere in Ramsey – we’d never choose to be anywhere else during TT.’
Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Andy Cowie said: ‘On behalf of the Commissioners it was a pleasure to present Mr Parton with a token of our appreciation for 50 years of loyalty to Ramsey. I’m delighted that Mr and Mrs Parton view Ramsey as their destination of choice for the same reason as many of our visitors and, indeed, our residents - namely the vibrant and strong community that exists here. We very much look forward to welcoming them back next year.’
Photo - Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Andy Cowie, right, presents John Parton with an engraved silver quaich in recognition of his 50-year loyalty to Ramsey during TT. Picture Andrew Barton.
