Marie Armes (19 Sep 1931 - 15 Feb 2020)

When Marie Bell married Colin Armes in September 1958 the thought of being involved in motorcycle sport over the next sixty years was probably the last thing on her mind. But a honeymoon on the Isle of Man at the Manx Grand Prix, when her new husband promptly signed on as a marshall, and then subsequently arranged for her to sign on as first aid, as she was a nurse by profession, should have given her a rather large clue!

Originally born in Aylesbury in 1931 she spent most of her formative years on the Norfolk/Suffolk border after the family moved to Beccles just prior to the outbreak of World War 2. After attending the Sir John Leman School she began working at the local hospital before heading off to the University College Hospital in London to train as a nurse. The big city was a far cry from the rural ideal of Beccles but it not only gave Marie a sound profession it also meant she experienced many different cultures and people of varying nationalities which would stand in her in good stead when she later moved into the world of organising major International motorcycle events.

Her nursing background came to the fore when she became the welfare officer at the Isle of Man TT races, providing support to families and pit crews when their rider had been involved in a serious accident; and on other occasions she travelled abroad to escort injured British riders back to the UK. However, she was never one to make a fuss about this aspect of her activities, including the fact that she was acknowledged as the person whose prompt action saved the life of Barry Sheene when he had his major accident at Silverstone in 1982. At no time, either then or since, did she admit to playing such a major part in helping Barry, and it was only in 2007 that her actions were fully recognised in the book ‘Barry’ written by Nick Harris and Steve Parrish.

Despite working at the very top of motorcycle organisation in the UK, and beyond, Marie never lost touch with the grass roots of the sport. She was a Vice President and Honorary Life Member of the Eastern Centre of the ACU and continued to carry out a number of administration activities; whether it was processing permit applications for local events, taking an active part in the running of the Centre, or helping with the ‘signing on’ of riders at motocross meetings. Nothing was too trivial, and if something needed doing, then she would do it – there is no doubt that she will be missed by many, and leaves an awfully big pair of footprints to follow in.