“The Old Farmer” Colin Mayo, who co-founded British Dealer News some 24 years ago in 2001, celebrated his 85th birthday in June. A now-legendary bastion of the industry, he has supported dealers and promoted the motorcycle trade in general throughout a long career approaching almost 70 years.
Mayo entered the publishing firmament at Ilife & Sons in 1957, before going on to join EMAP in 1968 as editor of Two Wheeler Dealer, fighting in the trade corner alongside Motor Cycle News. After eventually moving on from EMAP in 1994, he and Larry Riches subsequently launched the long-running annual Motorcycle Trade Expo show, before adding British Dealer News to Mayo Media’s entrepreneurial portfolio. And, of course, he is still going strong with plenty to celebrate.
These celebrations invaded a picturesque country pub in North Devon, not far from the Mayo Media HQ, and featured a mix of Mayo’s family, friends and business associates. Guests included dealers, former EMAP colleagues, and both current and past staff from British Dealer News. On tap were Mayo’s favourite ales, London Pride and Bass, quenching thirsts until late into the night. The inevitable birthday cake dodged the imposition of 85 candles and instead was topped with an image of the Old Farmer on board his beloved Norton 650SS, which was served as a surprise by his two grandsons Ronnie and Charlie.