Turnstone Estates’ Managing Director Tim Deacon and Consultant Rob Hall completed the 50th Anniversary Memorial Cycle Ride 2024 in memory of those who lost their lives in the 1974 Ermenonville air disaster.
The air disaster on March 3, 1974, was the worst the world had ever seen. The players, staff and colleagues at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club had visited France in good spirits – to watch the England versus France Five Nations match and take part in a friendly against a local side – having just won the Suffolk Knockout Cup.
But after their friendly, 18 of the 21-strong party opted to take an earlier flight on the ill-fated Turkish Airlines DC-10, as a two-day strike at Heathrow had halted any British flights. The plane crashed into Ermenoville Forest, north of Paris. In total 346 people perished in the tragedy, which caused incomparable grief in the west Suffolk town and rugby community. Ten local women had been widowed and between them they had 19 children who were now fatherless.
This year, the Club marked the 50th anniversary with a season-long tribute to those who tragically died. Bury’s players have been carrying the names of the 18 members of the club who lost their lives along with more than 300 others, on special black anniversary shirts this season.
In September, Tim and Rob were part of a 60 strong team of cyclists who successfully completed the 354 mile ride from Ermemonville Forest back to the Rugby Club. Together the team raised over £200,000 in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care – Independent charity serving West Suffolk and Thetford and Bury St Edmunds Rugby Union Football Club.