He was a founder member of the One O’clock club. A group of villagers who used to meet at the Brown Jug and later The Crown at 1 O’ Clock on a Sunday. This group raised significant money for the village over many years and ran the annual Upchurch Fireworks display in The Paddock.
Jim was probably known most for his work in the Scouts as Akela and in later years as Group Scout Leader , Chairman and Caretaker of the Scout Hut. He was instrumental with several others in helping to secure funds for the current Scout Hut and was actively involved in the construction. He was a regular fundraiser for the Scouts and co-ordinated the monthly waste paper collection in the village. He was also a key figure in securing Upchurch Fireworks for the Scouts when the One O’ Clock club could no longer run the event.
Jim was often involved in the organisation of village events from Remembrance Sunday to Upchurch Carnival and was a founder member of the Upchurch Twinning Group. He would regularly support other good causes in the village. He was a long serving member of The Parish Council, caretaker of Holywell School and Governor and PTA chairman of Highsted School in Sittingbourne.
Parkinson’s and Leukaemia curtailed Jim’s activities in the community in later years but he and Ann celebrated 58 years of marriage last year. He loved the village he lived in and spent much of his life working to make it a better place for all of us.
Jim had three children Jonathan, Clare and Rachel, 8 Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren.
The Family will announce funeral arrangements in due course.
Jim suffered from Parkinson’s disease and Leukaemia both of which have no cure. Significant work is ongoing in both fields to find a cure and enhance the lives of those suffering. If you would care to leave a tribute to Jim and donate to one of the chosen charities, please visit the just giving page below.
Thank you
Mike Powell
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