Devon Cricket Board - Cricket community bids fond farewell to Mark Kenyon

Cricket community bids fond farewell to Mark Kenyon

Mark Kenyon (right) cadging a lift from Andy Caddick during a Kingskerswell CC day out at Taunton
SOUTH Devon’s cricket community turned out in force for the funeral of former Kingskerswell player and chairman Mark Kenyon.
Publican Mark died aged 46 in late April after developing cancer. He leaves wife Sally and children Megan and Alex.
Every one of the 300 or so seats in the parish church of St Mary’s was taken for the service – and around 100 mourners stood where they could in aisles and doorways.
Mourners heard the vicar of Kingskerswell, Rev John Leonard, deliver a deeply personal eulogy to his friend.
Although Kenyon was not a regular churchgoer, he had been educated at the Sacred Heart School in Paignton and had a spiritual side to him.
As landlord of the Lord Nelson pub in the village, vicar and mine host regularly got together over a pint in the bar for a natter.
Mr Leonard revealed Mark regularly submitted short prayers – intercessions read out at Sunday services – on topical subjects of the day.
“He often said he was unable to get to church on a Sunday morning as he was cleaning the pub and could not get away” said Mr Leonard.
“I told him that was acceptable as cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Mr Leonard said Mark was a devoted Manchester United follower and a scooter-riding member of the Mod scene.
But it was cricket above all else that was his passion.
“He believed every youngster should play cricket for the sense of ethics it installs,” he said.
“His wife knew she came second to cricket – and only then if she did the teas!”
Mark Kenyon was born in Rossendale, Lancashire but moved to Paignton when he was two years old.
After attending Sacred Heart Primary school he went to Torquay Boys’ Grammar School.
His work career was varied and included working in Plymouth market, as a butcher in Paignton and latterly as publican.
He played football for Paignton Wanderers and cricket in the colts at Paignton before moving to Galmpton & Churston CC.
When the Galmpton club folded in 2004, he was one of a number of players who switched allegiance to Kingskerswell. Within two years he was captain of the 2nd XI and went on to lead the 1st XI for the 2008 season.
Kenyon and Paul Mitchell were instrumental in getting Kingskerswell’s youth section off the ground a couple of years later. He served as club chairman for three years between 2010-2012.
The service was followed by a private cremation in Torquay.
Mourners raised a glass to Mark at a wake held in his own pub.

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