We (here, specifically, me, john) make no excuse whatsoever for half-inching the title of an Ian Dury song to record the sad loss of a much-loved Skopelos friend, Mark Clough, who died, peacefully and surrounded by his family, on Saturday. He was merely 55, if large and bearded, although few held that against him.
Mark was a writer, journalist and editor in Britain with the Western Morning News and the North Devon Journal (my thanks to his colleague and friend Lyn Barton for her biographical research here), and a biro-and-pad hack of the old school, who mentored untold numbers of younger writers (one went on to become Political Editor of the Financial Times) and is a great loss to the history of journalism, although he would chuckle at that fact.
He and his wife Caroline moved to Skopelos five years ago, where they dedicated themselves to becoming Greek alongside their neighbours, gardening and walking their dog Bonnie, as he explained in his blog.
Warned of his illness, a number of his friends recently convened a celebration of their friendship with Mark and Caroline at the Asterias taverna on his favourite beach, Panormos, to light a fire – Mark was also a career pyromaniac – and blow up some balloons to show Mark and family we were thinking about them. Both fire and balloons were dealt with in an ecologically sound manner afterwards.
He will be missed for his warmth, kindness, keen intelligence and mischievous humour. But, as Mark often did at his blog, we should leave the last word to one of his favourite musicians. Just don’t call him Trevor.
Why is it always that the good die young????? Great guy, proud to have known him and condolences and big hugs for Caroline.
I am so, so sorry…….
I believe the For Sale picture was taken to illustrate a story Mark wrote about a nudist camp in North Devon being offered for sale !
Quite right Mike, nice story John but I thought the runner was David Bedford but I may be wrong. Mark was so pleased by your get together , we were just so sorry we weren’t there.
My stupid if that was the case, Caroline. I will double-check it and correct it if I’m wrong. Love from everyone here.
It was my stupid, and has been corrected. Apologies! I would claim it was a typo, but Mark would only come back and sub-edit me…
Sad news. Condolences to Mark’s family and friends.
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Tributes-paid-journalist-wisdom-warmth-fostered/story-28056307-detail/story.html
So sad to hear this news. Our sympathy to Caroline and family.
Lovely tribute John but you forgot to mention that Mark was a keen supporter of Gillingham FC!
Such devastating news. Such a lovely man to lose so early. Our thoughts now are with Caroline and their family.
Anne and Ian Perry
We met Mark only recently through walking with the Skopelos Scramblers. One of life’s true gentlemen who will be missed by many. Our thoughts are with Caroline and the family.
Keith and Lynn
Jim and I miss you both, Mark and Caroline, our cat feeder, our child swimming instructor, aquafit enthusiast and Skopelos Scramblers regulars. The setting sun evening on Panormos beach was magical both as a remembrance and as a time when we all had something nice to add about you both. Hope you can come back, Caroline, to visit.
A nice tribute. Our acquaintance was brief and yet I feel I have lost a good friend. A really lovely, friendly & humorous guy who left us far too soon. As with others we extend our thoughts to his family.
John & Kath
Je l’ai trop peu rencontré, mais je suis fier de l’avoir connu.
Toutes mes condoléances à Caroline et sa famille.
Mark would have liked this tribute, John.