Bikers bid farewell to friend in North Bersted

Some 300 motorcyclists created a head-turning funeral cortege for Carl Schneider on Tuesday (November 29).

They travelled from Australia, France and Belgium to pay their respects to Carl.

Their procession left the Newtown Sports and Social Club in North Bersted just after noon and made a brief stop at Carl’s former home in Hatherleigh Gardens.

They then travelled to Chichester Crematorium for his funeral service.

Cherie Kemplen, Carl’s best friend for 27 years, said: “Carl was a giant with a large heart and large hands.

“He was well known in the town affectionately as Big Carl or the Big Friendly Giant. He leaves many friends behind.”

Carl died on November 15 aged 49 from fibrosing alveolitis which caused his lungs to collapse.

He originally lived in Chertsey in Surrey and moved to Bognor 20 years ago.

A welder, his handiwork can be seen around the town in gates and balustrades. “He has left his mark as a tradesman around the town,” said Cherie.

Carl had a passion for motorbikes for most of his life. His last motorcycle was a Kawasaki GBZ900.

His liking for the bikes led him to be asked to form the first UK chapter of the Red Devils Motorcycle Club.

He was also the founder of the Bad Wabbit Crew who recently raised £776.50 for the neo-natal unit at St Richard’s Hospital at Chichester.

Away from his bikes, he was well known at Bognor Regis Town FC and the boxing club in Durban Road where his sons, Leon, seven, and Harley, nine, played and trained.

He was often heard singing at weekends with his daughter, Jasmine, in the town centre pubs of The Waterloo Inn, The Prince of Wales, The Terminus and The Station.

He is survived by his five children and his three grandchildren.