Capel History Group has created this web page so that you can post your memories and thoughts of Don to share with others. Click in the box below to add your recollections and upload any photos you would like to provide.
Don was a very special and unique person who was a part of many organisations and... see moreCapel History Group has created this web page so that you can post your memories and thoughts of Don to share with others. Click in the box below to add your recollections and upload any photos you would like to provide.
Don was a very special and unique person who was a part of many organisations and lives. Thank you for contributing to this memorial.
Don's funeral was held on 14th September 2021 at St Thomas' Church, Capel. Don spent his last days at the Hospice in the Weald and received care from their nursing team throughout his illness. He requested that instead of flowers, his friends should donate to the Hospice and a link is provided on the page on the Capel History Group website for you to do that.
OBITUARY
Don was the Chairman of Capel History Group, keen follower of Capel Cricket Club and helped tend the church grounds at St Thomas's.
Outside of Capel, he volunteered on the Spa Valley railway, was a keen monarchist and mason, former scout master, amateur thespian and published author.
I worked with Don on the Spa Valley Railway lineside team for a few years, and I very much enjoyed his company. He was good to work with, and conversations with him were wide-ranging and erudite. He was a true character and a true gentleman. I'm sorry... moreI worked with Don on the Spa Valley Railway lineside team for a few years, and I very much enjoyed his company. He was good to work with, and conversations with him were wide-ranging and erudite. He was a true character and a true gentleman. I'm sorry to hear of his passing, but I am sure that he had a full and rewarding life. May his memory be a blessing to us. less
The first time I met Don was at a Capel Cricket Club match. He stood out immediately as a gentleman, and a person with values and ideals.
He had a superb general knowledge and attended quizzes supporting the Aquinoe Learning Centre regularly. He was... moreThe first time I met Don was at a Capel Cricket Club match. He stood out immediately as a gentleman, and a person with values and ideals.
He had a superb general knowledge and attended quizzes supporting the Aquinoe Learning Centre regularly. He was also great to be a member of your team at other quizzes as, over the years he had stored away so many facts, that you knew if he proposed an answer to an obscure question, he would inevitably be correct.
Don had a quirky sense of humour and, if I picked up the phone when he was hoping to speak to husband, Dave, we would always have a good laugh about something strange.
The photo is of Don at a FOG "do" in 2015. less
Don's interests were wide-ranging - from the history society to the cricket club, working on the Spa Valley railway to helping tend the church grounds at St Thomas's, monarchists to freemasonry, scouting to amateur dramatics.
And quite a bit more too,... moreDon's interests were wide-ranging - from the history society to the cricket club, working on the Spa Valley railway to helping tend the church grounds at St Thomas's, monarchists to freemasonry, scouting to amateur dramatics.
And quite a bit more too, not least his comprehensive cricket reports in the parish magazine plus monthly quizzes on Capel's past.
I'll remember him as a great conversationalist and for his ever immaculate turn-out, splendid head-wear (feather and all) and as the only man I knew who invariably doffed his cap on meeting a lady.
There are fond memories too of him waving sixes and fours cards whenever a Capel batsman hit a boundary down at the Rec and a trademark raucous laugh that could likely halt traffic at 30 paces.
Don and I first met many years ago walking homewards on Capel Fete day. His engaging nature led me into the Capel History Society and from then we got to be good pals, the cricket club and a few beers at the pub among various mutual interests.
I left Capel in March so our exchanges since then had been by phone. It was clear he was waging such a tough battle, conversations invariably starting with difficulty and concern. But Don liked nothing better than moving on to village affairs and memories, sometimes with a touch of the Victor Meldrews thrown in !