Ouse Washes Molly - Mark

It is with sadness that we reported the death of Mark Jones last year 2005, killed on Monday 25th July in a tragic accident whilst travelling home after Molly practice. The car he was travelling in as a rear seat passenger swerved to avoid a deer and crashed into the ditch; the other three occupants occupants escaped.  It might be a year now but he will never be forgotten.

I was travelling home on the way back from the molly practice with Chris and Max when we came across what we thought was a broken down lorry, and when we came to overtake we saw debris in the road so we stopped as well and went to investigate and found Nick and Deborah's car over turned in the ditch. Whilst I called the emergency services Chris and Max went to investigate meanwhile other molly cars stopped as well. Emergency services came but despite best efforts Mark was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mark was such a lovely man and we had been laughing together just 15 minutes earlier in the pub after a good practice together - him going was just like some one turning off a light switch. 

He was such a lovely man and we will all miss him desperately - he was a character with a heart of gold.

Dave

100_2505 IMG_1647_edited IMG_0140 IMG_0166 Mark 2 Mark 3 Mark 4 Mark 5

Book of Condolence

Our deepest sympathy to all at Ouse Washes.

Mark was a morris legend and always a lot of fun to be around, especially after his second pint! The last time we saw him was at Ely Folk Weekend three weeks ago, and he had me in hysterics dancing the bolero! The festival won't be the same without him there.

He was always there for you if you needed help and support and a jolly good laugh. A truly fantastic guy and he'll be missed by us all.

Tom Sennett (Pig Dyke Molly) Sarah Nash ( Chilten Hundreds)

What a loss of a character!  He will be sorely missed;  you were always guaranteed a laugh with Mark around.

Linda Dix  (Witchmen)

Hi there.

got this photo of Mark at Ely 2004.Thought you might like it for your website.

Ruth (Witchmen)

I met Mark on Friday evening in the beer tent at Ely festival earlier this month, he was uncharacteristically sober at first but a couple of pints soon had him back on form. On several occasions over the last few years Mark asked my wife to leave me and run away with him, that didn't stop me counting him as a good friend, he was open and honest. My enduring memory of mark is of him dancing with Golden Star with his hair a mess, his shirt tail hanging out and a roll-up clamped between his lips. He was a good dancer, a good friend and good man to get drunk with. Sadly missed.

Phil
(The Witchmen)

A great character, we shall all miss him.

Jed and Doris, Witchmen.

Dear friends ,

This is just to let you know how shocked and saddened we all were to learn of Mark's tragic death. We particularly had him in our thoughts when we practised on 27th July and again last night . Our best wishes and thoughts to all Mark's friends and loved ones. We remember him with laughter , affection and respect as great company , a superb entertainer and dancer . A Morris Giant indeed!

With best wishes to you all from all of us at Wolfshead & Vixen Morris

From Anglian Water

We've known Mark for many years, through Golden Star, and you couldn't wish to meet a nicer bloke. He always had time for a word, and a drink with you. Always smiling. We're going to miss him at dancing and folk sessions. Wherever Morris dances go beyond, we'll meet again. Dance on. Jerry and Nicki

When I heard about Mark's death it was one of those moments when the world seemed to stop for a few seconds, how could anyone so full of life be gone?

It was always good to see him when he came to Sweeps or to Beercart - he will be missed.

My girls Beth and Rhianna knew him as Stinky! but they'll miss him too

John, our bagman, has put up a tribute and some pictures on our website at www.wolfsheadandvixen.co.uk 

Kevin (Wolf's Head)

--
Bye for now

Kevin Shewan
www.shewan.co.uk

"Once in a while you get shown the light,
in the strangest of places if you look at it right"

Mark will be missed tremendously. He was a good friend and a huge part of Golden Star Morris. I have so many memories of Mark I don't know where to start - the somewhat eventful journey to Rochester in his sidecar; the three of us (me, Mark and Rachael) drinking directly from the beer barrels at the New St George Ale one year (fulfilment of Rachael's lifetime ambition!), sitting in the pub garden at Rochester Sweeps Festival in absolute hysterics on many occasions. He was a good dancer and a very good friend. Star will not be the same without him.

Clare (Golden Star)

Hi

We were shocked and appalled by the tragedy that has finished Mark's life. Please pass on our thoughts to his family and friends - and our sorrow to the whole team.

Tony Forster

Boss - Pig Dyke Molly

This is the hardest thing I have had to write. I found Mark great fun to be with he was always the life and sole of any event we went to. I will miss him most next year when Rochester Sweeps is on as he was part of the festival at the Man of Kent along with us. We will be doing a dance for him at the weekend and arranging a celebration of his life at the MOK. Keep Dancing. Pete (Plug) wolfs head Squire

I'll always remember Mark with great affection. A kind man with a big heart and a truly accepting nature, he'll leave a big hole in many people's lives. Our lives are all the richer for having known him. A great character indeed with the ability to make people laugh. Thank you, Mark.

Amanda

We will miss Mark especially in his Golden Star role at the New St George/Lady Bay Revellers annual Insomniacs Ball. He could be counted on to help keep things going long after many others had fallen by the wayside. A sad loss.

Steve Tunnicliff
for New St George Morris

I am very sad to hear about Mark's death. He was full of life, honest, kind & always looked happy when morrris dancing. Ely Folk Weekend will be all the quieter & less fun without him there.

Fionnuala (Ely & Littleport Riot)

Thought you might like this photo of Ouse Washes from procession at EFW 2005.

For Mark.

Mark, A lovely man, who brightened my life, as well as that of many others. He had a way of making other people feel good and happy. I will miss him,

Jill

Belchamp Morris Men first met Mark at Castle Hedingham during the nine day wonder (London to Norwich). We immediately identified him as being as mad as we were and we all became good mates. Although we didn't see Mark that often, when we met up, perhaps at the Sheringham Potty Festival or wherever, it was as if we'd all known each other for years.

We will miss the old boy.

Picture shows Ross (me) Graham (bending over) and Damon of Belchamp on the last day of the nine day wonder after their arrival in Norwich. Great memories.

Belchamp Morris Men.

This is to say thank you so much to everyone who was there, for making Marks funeral a much better day than we ever could have expected. It is lovely to know that he had so many friends and that he was so well liked. He couldn't have had a better send off, I'ts just a shame he was't there to see it. It is just a pity that we didn't meet you all under different circumstances. Thank you again. Marks family.

Helen and I would like to pass on our deepest sympathy to you all at this time. Although I did not know Mark very well (he joined after I left) I do know he was a very good dancer with a huge love of life. I had seen him at many Rochester Sweeps propping the bar up with regulars at the Man of Kent. I also know that as Ouse Washes is such a close team his loss will be deeply felt. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to you all. Love Jim (ex Ouse washes) and Helen and on behalf of the Kent Korkers & Pork Scratchens.

We have recently heard your terrible news. Many years back we too lost a team member and friend in similar tragic circumstances and empathise with your loss.

Our heartfelt sympathies to you all at this difficult time.

Richard Goodwin

Seven Champions & Florida.

Hello to all at Ouse Washes,

just a quickie to ask if Gog Magog's condolences on Mark's death got through to you. I've been having a spot of bother with my e-mail recently, and as they haven't yet appeared in the book of condolences, I wondered if they'd got lost in the e-post

Emma
Gog Magog Molly

All at Open Morris were saddened to hear of Mark's untimely death. Our thoughts and sympathy are with all his family and friends.

Chris Hall - Chair of Open Morris