About

IN MEMORY OF JOHN CARTER John H Carter (70) died in hospital after a short illness on 22nd May 2021, though he had struggled for a number of years with Parkinson's disease. John had lived on his own since his parents died but was supported by friends and colleagues from Colfe’s School where he had worked since 1973. John worked in many capacities at the school. He started as a lab technician, helped in the Geography department, was pivotal in the early years of school television and video use and then ran the reprographics department at Colfe's. Until he succumbed to Parkinson's John was an extremely committed and active umpire for both cricket and hockey. He umpired for many of the school's cricket fixtures ad in addition organised and officiated at many staff games and tours. John also travelled far and wide across, not just Kent, Middlesex. Essex and Surrey for local league cricket matches, but also across the country from Durham to Devon to umpire in annual cricket and hockey tournaments. John also spent many evenings helping on cricket umpire training courses across the Home Counties and particularly at the Ealing & District ACU&S courses at Ealing Cricket Club in West London. He never drove so made all these journeys on public transport, often not returning home until the early hours of the morning. His contributions both on and off the field will be sadly missed. Indeed, it is a little-known fact that he is responsible for Colfe's School owning its sports and cricket ground beside the A20. It was John who found out, decades ago, that the land was for sale - or was about to be - from the head groundsman at the site. He approached Colfe's Headmaster with the news and the school promptly bought the site! Although John did not leave specific instruction about such things, other than that he wanted a natural burial, his friends believe it would be a fitting tribute to raise a sum of money for charity in his memory. The aims of the 'Parkinson's Care and support UK' charity would seem to fit with John's philosophy for life, that of the selfless helping of others, and we hope that any contributions will help support fellow sufferers. Thanks you from his friends and colleagues.