Good Morning My name is Roger and my wife Geinor and I are neighbours and dear friends of Shirley and Ken in Clyne. Thank you very much for coming to celebrate Ken’s life and to share our grief at his passing It is a very difficult time for Ken’s wife Shirley, his children Gavin, and Julia and their families but it must make them intensely proud to see how his family and friends have turned out to pay their respects to Ken today – and many of you have traveled a long way to be here. Thank you. It is a shame Ken cannot witness how much warmth all sorts of people felt towards him When Shirley asked me to speak today I was very apprehensive. It is not easy to contain my emotions and to express fully how I feel Shirley assured me that I could keep it brief I thought about this and realized what I have to say about Ken could be summed up in just one short sentence “Ken you were a really nice guy” That is the greatest tribute I can pay him. Many of you have been lucky enough to have known Ken for a long time – we have known him for just five years. But in that time we became very close friends – it was easy to be a friend of Ken’s and a privilege too.. He was always ready to open a bottle of wine or go out for a curry. He was full of fun and a great raconteur. His stories kept us entertained many an evening sometimes to Shirley’s impatience as she had heard them many times before but we never tired of hearing them and egged him on for more. One of Ken’s great contributions was to global warming and I am not talking here about his time in the oil industry. Those of you who have been to his house will have experienced the hothouse atmosphere in 2 Castle View. Ken liked the house warm – very warm!! So much so that he had to wear slippers because the underfloor heating made the floor so hot he could not walk on it. His other great achievement was to give Clyne the Provence effect. Provence, as I am sure you know is famous for its flowers and its artists. The roof of Ken’s house is covered in in a plant called sedum which is very attractive. However despite our greatest efforts we were unable to control the infestation of chives that in the flowering season come out as a pretty purple flower. We finally gave up the battle to control the chives when someone passing on Mill Lane commented to Shirley on how beautiful her roof looked. They said – it was just like a Monet painting!! So watch that space in the summer and think of Ken. Finally, after his family and particularly his grandchildren in America, Ken’s greatest love was his chocolate Labrador – Taffy. Taffy passed away 12 months ago and it was a vey sad time for Ken. He walked Taffy at least twice a day but it was more than just a walk. It was a social occasion. On these walks Ken spoke to everyone – he was so friendly. He would come back and tell us about the latest person he had met or keep us up to date on what was going on in Clyne And I have not mentioned his generosity and kindness. On December 17th Shirley and Ken kindly invited Geinor, Wendy and me for a meal in Morgan’s hotel to celebrate Shirley’s 21st birthday – like me she has had a lot of those. Ken drove and was in fine form and as it was the last time we went out together it was an occasion I will never forget. It is hard to believe that Ken became so ill so quickly afterwards There is so much more I could say such as his contribution as Chairman to the Clyne community but I said at the start that I would keep this brief. All I need do is repeat once more the simple but sincere sentiment “ Ken you were a really nice guy.” I am proud to have known you and you will be greatly missed by your family, friends and Clyne will just not be the same without you.