FOR many years the Cheese Club, formerly held at the White Swan at Crediton, held a wheelbarrow race to raise money for charity - and have loads of laughs.

Another race is to be held on Saturday, August 31, in memory of "Mr Cheese Club", Ken Williams, who died at St Lawrence Residential Home, Crediton, on Wednesday, August 7, aged 79.

Among the Cheese Club's many fundraising activities was the annual wheel barrow race, with teams visiting as many pubs as they could, collecting a cheese at each, always for one local charity or another.

Ken became heavily involved with the Cheese Club, from its infancy at the White Swan back in the days of Jim Buxton as landlord. He was a well known figure within the town, often accompanied by "Colin" his little friend who was attached to a Polish walking stick!

Ken was born in Wallasey, Cheshire and came to Devon in the late 50's. He spent many years working abroad, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman and any spare time there was spent fundraising for charities, visiting leper colonies and learning to speak basic Arabic.

His working life in Crediton, until he retired, was at Ernest Jackson and Co Ltd. As well as a daughter, Tina, Ken leaves a son, Ian, and two grandsons.

His family want to express their thanks to all the staff at St Lawrence, Chiddenbrook Surgery and the Community Nurses who looked after Ken until his death.

The wheelbarrow race will be raising funds for the Children's Hospice South West. It will set off from 5pm on August 31 from the Duke of York.

Teams or individuals are invited to take part in the wheelbarrow race, fancy dress is optional. Contestants will collect a cheese from each pub, with the race ending back at the Duke.

To find out more either call at the Duke or contact the landlady, Mrs Tracey Rowe, on 01363 775289.

The funeral service for Ken is today Friday, August 16, at 12.15pm at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium.

There will be a collection for the Children's Hospice South West or people will be able to donate via Le Roy Funeral Service, 94-95 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LB.

Sue Read