News & Features

In the summer of 2015 my late father Don Lock, was killed by a mental health patient in Findon Valley. Over the subsequent weeks and months, many people made donations towards some type of memorial in my father’s name.

After a lot of hard work exploring designs, suitable locations, planning permissions and sourcing the necessary materials we can finally unveil the commemorative sculpture on the promenade adjacent to the new Bayside development on Worthing seafront.

The plan is to carry out a brief ceremony to unveil the stone sculpture with a few words and to give all those people and businesses that donated money a chance to be there in person. We intend to unveil the stones at 11.30am on Saturday 30th October 2021 and it would be great if your publication could support this to let the public know.

There will be a plaque adjacent to the sculpture which will include the following words to provide some background and context to the sculpture:-

 In July 2015 Don Lock was killed in an unprovoked knife attack at the age of 79, 2 weeks after having been given the all clear from prostate cancer.

    Don had been a Worthing resident for over 55 years and a member of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club all of that time too. As a member, as well as organising, supporting and being a long term member of the club committee he had raced competitively well into his 70’s, at distances from 10miles to 100miles as well as 12hr and 24hr long races. At the time of this stone being placed, he was still a holder of the club record of 429 miles for the 24hr.

    As well as his cycling, Don worked for local solicitors Miller Parris for over 40 years providing guidance and support through his work to many people.

    In July 2015 when Don was killed there was an overwhelming expression of shock and drive to raise funds for some type of memorial. This was not just from local people, but from the whole country and abroad, from all walks of life and a massive amount from the nationwide cycling community Many people started making donations, fund raising events were held and a large donation from the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club culminated in creating this sculpture of substance and meaning.

    The family of Don Lock would like to thank everyone for the amazing support they received through such a difficult time and hope that this sculpture will provide inspiration for many people, for many years, to take up cycling, explore the countryside and create many friendships along the way.

Andrew Lock