On 24th February 2017 John Clarke passed away. He was 76. It is fair to say that John was my inspiration in choosing local history as a hobby. His encouragement and help has been invaluable.

John taught me  how local history can help the community and how it can encorage your own sense of community. Over the last five years we had many long telephone conversations. We never talked for less than an hour at a time.

Gilston church was standing room only for John’s funeral and afterwards there were many who came to High Wych Memorial Hall to pay homage to him. Our thoughts are with Yolande, his widow. How lucky she was having lived with such a generous, warmhearted and kind man. All those who knew him were enriched by him.

Meanwhile, there is no better way to honour John’s memory than to reread the histories he wrote of both Gilston and Eastwick. To read them once again visit the pertinent pages by clicking on the following links:     John Clarke’s History of Gilston      and:                John Clarke’s History of Eastwick

TvdB