by Sam Hawcroft
Withernsea legend Dot Perkins celebrated her 96th birthday in style with a surprise trike ride through the town – joking that she was the day’s “real carnival queen”.
Dot was treated to the ride on Saturday, August 15, courtesy of Paul Whitehead at Castle Café and trike owner Colin Brett, of North Yorkshire, who stepped in at the last minute after the machine originally lined up for the occasion broke down.
With the town already busy for the Withernsea Carnival parade and Blue Light Withernsea Kids’ Weekend and Kite Festival, Dot climbed aboard for a trip around Queen Street and Valley Gardens, waving to people along the way.
Paul said Dot – known to many as the “Yorkshire lass” – had become a much-loved fixture at Castle Café over the years.
“I just love her,” he said. “She was here every day when we first got the place eight years ago.
“She made all the tourists feel welcome, as well as all the regulars. She still keeps herself busy and she reads – she’s amazing.”
The birthday surprise nearly hit trouble when the planned trike suffered an alternator failure, but Colin agreed to step in at short notice after being asked whether he could help.
Unlike several other bikers who had turned up for the occasion, Colin had never visited Castle Café before, but was happy to lend his machine for the occasion.
The German trike, which was assembled in Poland, is powered by a 1,500cc Mitsubishi engine and can reach speeds of more than 100mph – although Dot’s birthday tour was conducted at a rather more leisurely pace.
And with the carnival parade taking place on the same day, Paul jokingly suggested that Dot was the “real carnival queen”, and she readily agreed.
Afterwards, Dot was delighted with the experience.
“It was lovely!” she said. “Can you get me one of those? I wouldn’t have the money to get one! I enjoyed that. Trouble is, it’s not mine, it’s his!
“Everybody was waving, but I didn’t know who they were.”
And, in typical Dot fashion, she added: “It’s half a crown to talk to me today!”