24/02/2004
Cup-winner: David with some of the MKW team.
When motorcycle fan John Colpitts died pursuing his hobby nearly a year ago, colleagues and bosses at the engineering firm where he worked were determined his memory should not fade.
Now that wish has been realised - and a rising new talent has been recognised at the same time.
Ian Young, Managing Director at MKW Engineering, of Ryton, presented the John Colpitts Memorial Trophy at Newcastle College's awards night, to David Dawson, a second year engineering student.
College staff chose the 22-year-old boatman's son from Seahouses as its "most improved student" and the first recipient of the perpetual John Colpitts trophy.
And now David, who began college by making the long daily commute from North Northumberland, is looking to move on from his Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education course to study manufacturing technology at HND level.
"I have always been interested in engineering ever since I was really young," said the former Duchess School, Alnwick, pupil, who now lives in Trewhitt Road, Heaton.
Alan Bainbridge, the college's Director of Technology, added: "David is someone who has come into college from a non-traditional background but who has achieved 100 per cent attendance travelling all the way from Seahouses.
"We recognised his skills, determination, resilience and drive - he has all the makings of a fine engineer and we are delighted that MKW have helped us to record our respect for him."
Ian Young, MKW Managing Director, remembered John, who was killed in the Pennines, aged 54, in April last year: "John was very skilful and versatile. He was a welding team leader but he got involved in just about everything. He was capable of turning his hand to any task and could always be relied upon to produce a quality product. John had been with the Company for 16 years and was liked and respected by everyone - he was always helpful and cheerful.
"We knew that other people had done things to remember him - his golf colleagues at Stocksfield had erected a seat in his memory. He worked with the apprentices here and so we thought it would be nice to do something that linked him with training.
"We're delighted with Newcastle College's decision to give this trophy to David and hope it inspires him in his career."