The death occurred of Gordon Barnes our dear friend on September 17 aged 54. Gordon had ben ill for some time but his death still came as a shock to all of us who knew him.

Gordon was born in Dirleton to Sandy and Betty, both well known characters in the community. Sandy especially for his interest in vintage motorbikes. It was no surprise that Gordon at school leaving age was persuaded to speak with local garage proprietor James Mitchell and start as an apprentice as a car mechanic. But it was as a blacksmith where Gordon's passions lay.. Mitchell's garage also had a blacksmithing side to their trade and it was this where Gordon's real interest developed.

Gordon, left the motoring business and worked locally where he applied his mechanical skills in agriculture working on several farms in East Lothian. Many farmers were indebted to his abilities to repair expensive machinery in need of emergency attention, his blacksmithing interest coming to the fore as he would fabricate missing bits crucial to getting the implement working again.

In East Lothian he gained a reputation as a person whose encyclopaedic mind carried an endless amount of information on vintage lawnmowers. At first with his father he would travel around East Lothian displaying some of their collection of mowers. Together they would be regular and popular stand holders at many of the agricultural shows throughout the county.

Laterly Gordon became interested in antiques and could be found selling some of his ."bits and pieces" at various antique fairs. Nothing was sold without his usual well researched background information.

A bright, warm, intelligent man. Overly generous to his friends. To those who knew him well, loyal and helpful. He is greatly missed.