Paul Cook

It is with great sadness to report the passing of Paul Cook on the 27th July. Paul was an inspiration for us all. From our first meeting, he was always a kind and considerate person despite suffering with Myeloma all that time.

He joined several of the local clubs but found his niche within SEAMS, a club that he & his family supported and will continue to support. Paul also took up a position on the committee as Vice Chairman & Newsletter Editor, the latter post he quite enjoyed and one, which when the time came, he was a little disappointed not to be able to carry on with.

A favourite event was the Hadlow Down Steam Rally, a show Paul had attended as a child with his first Lister A type. Over the last few years he introduced me to this event and we had intended to take his engine there, but somehow we never made it.

He was always willing to help where he could. An abiding memory for me will be the 2012 Amberley Engine Day. Paul had offered to help transport my collection but was going through a down turn at the time. I had wanted him to rest but no, there he was on the day with the van, happy to be there helping.

It was noticeable this year that Paul’s health was deteriorating but it was still a shock when he was admitted to the Royal Marsden. Thanks to quick intervention and the dedicated staff, as well as Paul’s brave determination, he pulled through and was well enough to walk his daughter ‘down the aisle’ in May. When I last saw Paul he still looked remarkably well. Sadly he was struck down with another infection, except this time there was no happy outcome.

His funeral was held on Friday 9th August at the pretty little church in Crawley Down Village, driven there by his son Adrian on the Ferguson T20, in the Culverwell’s trailer that he had restored. There was a great turn out, including many SEAMS members for a most moving service. Afterwards back at Hurst Farm, a few of us changed clothes, and with help from Adrian, managed to get all the fixed engines running and a good selection of his portable ones too. Thank you to the family for inviting us back and a fitting gathering to remember a great friend and enthusiast.

Mark Tewkesbury