Ken Barker died in hospital on 24th February at the ripe old age of 90.

I met Ken after moving into Staveley Village - well he actually found me out. He heard that a second HTTA table tennis player was now living in the village  (Colin Bateman was the first), and he asked me to help with the marathon. He was very persuasive and you couldn't say no to him.

Thereafter I've supported Ken and his fundraising for the past 8 years and that I was able to call on the generosity of so many HTTA players to come along over this time and support the weekend marathon event at Staveley Village Hall. Ken delighted in the fact that so many of HTTA players attended and was always supportive with cups of tea and coffee and of course quick to take as much money of everyone as he could for the charity fundraising.

Ken was a legend in the Village - still rang the chuch bells when he was 90 and continued to work as a gardener, as well as putting his talents to more charitable work through selling veg and flowers on the stall outside the Village Hall. 

He was a remarkable man and I intend, if possible, to honour his charitable work by continuing with the marathon and hope that this year we can raise a substantial amount in his memory.

His Funeral will be held at Staveley All Saints Church on Thursday 20th March at 11.30am followed by refreshements in the Village Hall.