Derek Archer and his dog were regular visitors to Seaways Café at Fridaythorpe
Derek Archer pictured with a puppy he met on his biking travels, and Derek’s own beloved dog, Amber, outside the Seaways Café they regularly frequented at Fridaythorpe(Image: supplied image)
The daughter of a man who tragically died in a motorbiking accident a year ago has set up a fundraiser in his memory. Derek Archer, 75, of Hutton Cranswick, was a passionate biker and a regular face at the Seaways Café at Fridaythorpe.
After his death while out on a ride near Malton last April, about 200 motorbikes helped form the cortege that left Seaways for his funeral at St Peter’s Church, in his home village. Now Derek’s daughter, Jodie Archer, has launched a GoFundMe appeal to have a memorial plaque made to display at Seaways.
Jodie, of Bishop Burton, said: “It’s not that we need the money for a plaque, it’s just that he had so many friends and so many people wanted to get involved. I had to think of a way they could be involved.
“It was a very hard thing, with so many saying ‘let me know, I’ll put some money in’. This was the best way I could think of.”
With donations already at the £485 mark (against an original target of £100) Jodie said she knew that the fund would way surpass the price of a plaque, which is why any surplus is going towards the Air Ambulance. She said: “Air Ambulance is a charity that’s close to most bikers’ hearts, and I’m from the horseriding community, another community where the Air Ambulance is much appreciated for being able to go out to people.
“They went out on the day of dad’s accident. Anything extra will be given to them.”
On her appeal page, Jodie said: “I am raising funds to create a memorial plaque in loving memory of my dad, Derek, who was tragically killed in a motorbike accident in April 2025. The plaque will be placed on the ‘Wall of Knowledge’ at Seaways Café, with the kind permission of Mike and his father.
“This was a place very close to Dad’s heart, where he spent many happy hours with his beloved dog, Amber. It feels like the most fitting location to honour his memory.
“So many people have reached out wanting to be part of remembering Dad, and this feels like a meaningful way for friends and family to come together and contribute to something lasting. Any additional funds raised beyond the cost of the plaque will be donated to the Air Ambulance, a charity that meant a great deal to Dad.”
Jodie said the “Wall of Knowledge” was so-called because it was a spot outside the café where Derek, originally from Bridlington, and “the old blokes” would sit and talk about motorbikes. “I’m not quite sure what the plaque is going to say yet, but we’re going to put it there, it’s where people will best remember my dad and Amber.”
Derek’s dog has been living with Jodie’s brother since Derek passed away. Jodie said they were thinking of possibly having a sculpture of a dog to represent Amber also placed outside Seaways.
After Derek was killed, there was a huge outpouring from friends and acquaintances he made. He was described as “one of the best guys I ever met”; “an absolutely amazing man, always with a smile on his face and jokes ready” and “always there to help anyone who needed it”.
The Triumph Forum paid tribute, saying: “He was one of those people that (if you went to Seaways regularly) either you knew him personally or you knew of him. A super chap, who had time for everyone.
“He knew his bikes and was a great friend to many. The biking community has lost a dear colleague.”
Jodie said: “Dad had always been into bikes, all his life. When we were kids it was more about a vehicle to commute to work on; as we got older, he took up biking more for pleasure – when we were teenagers he and my mum, Christine, would go out for the day on the motorbike.
“Sadly, Mum was diagnosed with cancer and couldn’t go out on the bike anymore. He liked to go to Seaways with Amber, after she died, because he didn’t like being at home on his own – he’d speak to anybody and everybody and was a bit of a practical joker.
“If it’s one comfort, he said if he died on his motorbike, it would be his chosen way. I don’t think he would have coped if he’d got to an age where he couldn’t ride his bike anymore.”
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.