Guestbook

A Tribute to Roy Clarke

Click Here to add your tribute to Roy. Back to the Wheatsheaf.

Roy was my grandad and it touches me to hear all of your comments, it proves what I already knew; he was a wonderful man who left a lasting impression on everyone he knew.
Sean Trelawny
08/04/2008 15:36:46

Just reading the comments about the nicknames he gave people my mate was Dobin...
Jon Squires
LeightonBuzzard 07/03/2008 09:20:49

sorry to find out he will not be there next time i walk in the wheati TOP MAN!!
andy(Mr potato head)
south shield`s 15/02/2008 20:24:47

first met roy when i worked at the swan started chatting i,ve got him to thank for introducing me to the wheatie cheers.
graham the chef
28/12/2007 23:51:00

Very sad to hear about this.Roy always made us really welcome and was a real gentleman...many post gig musical discussions over fine ale are fondly remembered.JUMP
JUMP
04/11/2007 10:08:14

Only just come across the website and discovered the sad news. I am another one who remembers Roy from way back at the Red Lion as well as the Wheatsheaf. Roy was always so welcoming and always had a smile and a joke. That was one wicked sense of hunour. Didn`t see Roy for last ten years due to moving to Northampton, but will always remember the old bas***d. Hope you are livening up the place upstairs.
Ian Rouse
Northampton 16/08/2007 17:22:51

I WILL MISS ROY VERY MUCH HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR HIS FRIENDS AND ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR EVERYONE WHO CAME INTO CONTACT WITH HIM I WORKED WITH ROY AT GAD HE HELP ME WHEN I FIRST STARTED AS A WELFARE RIGHTS WROKER. I VALUED ROY AS A FRIEND AND FEEL VERY PLEASED THAT I KNOW HIM, I WOULD LINE TO SEND LOVE TO ALL HIS FAMILY AND HIS FRIENDS WE WILL ALL MISS HIM GRATELY
JANET GREEN
LONDON 10/07/2007 00:50:39

What can i say? I will never forget the smile, the belly, the great taste in music. He was someone who i feel lucky to have known. He had a nickname for us all. Roy "The Boy" I miss you more than you will ever know.
Craig Mead (Donny)
milton keynes 03/07/2007 20:18:52

Sad news a great bloke. I used to live in Leighton Buzzard about 16 years ago always had a laugh with Roy he was a fan of giving out nicknames the one he gave me was Tin Tin.
marcus
nottingham 11/06/2007 15:19:04

Hello dear friends,it is such a joy to see Roy`s page still active and I recieve great comfort from reading your many contributions. I was with Roy as he slowly and peacefully left this world at 1.40 on 24th May a year ago having contracted a form of motor neuron disease. I am told that the day before he was up and about and taking a healthy interest in the nurses, as was his way. Following his death I was supported and helped by so many of you in so many ways and his wake was a truly joyful celebration of his life. Many thanks for all your love and support, Niki, Roy`s daughter.
niki
Brighton 05/06/2007 13:45:46

This is the first time I`ve felt like writing anything on the site. However, it`s late and I`ve drunk to much wine... Anyway it`s about a year ago that Roy died, although it doesn`t seem like it. Funny how you carry on your life then something happens to make you remember. I often went to a festival with Roy, things being what they are I`d sort of forgotten until I received the mailing about tickets for this year. He really enjoyed going and always had a good time but he was never the most organised of people. So I normally had to book his holiday for him and order his ticket, a task which I always enjoyed. I`m not sure if I can go this year as things just won`t be the same without him. I miss him very much, as you all do. However, he`s alive in my heart as I`m sure he`s alive in yours and will be until we join him. Hmmmmm, Yes, Yes, Yes!
Nick B
L.B 24/05/2007 00:45:47

I`m 69 years young and I understand all of the characters in "Last of the Summer Wine" perfectly.I would have loved to be able to join the old boys.Roy must have had an unbelievably creative mind and his attention to detail was unmatched-I have come very close to incontinence on many occasions due to laughing uncontrolably.And not a swear word heard nor any smut--in any of his prolific works.Enjoy your rest,lad.
geoff leech
stockton-on-tees 04/03/2007 14:40:08

Roy was a diamond , not much else to say about the man , made us welcome when we first started drinking in the best pub in Leighton all those years ago (it seems like!) and always had time for a chat about just about anything lovely man , all the best ones leave first.. RIP roy
Dan and David Jones (Joneseys)
Leighton 06/01/2007 09:17:45

Just happened upon the site and made the sad discovery of Roy`s departure. Knew him in the good old (Heath Red Lion) days when he ran the Friday Jazz nights with Larry and Joan. Others may not be aware that he also did some talented architectural drawing work. He managed this whilst continuing to manage the Lion bar, too! Have many memories of a likeable, amusing, `gentle` - man. Very sad news. Commiserations to his family - he used to talk to me about you and his previous life in Brighton. Roy was always cheerful, even if things weren`t always going as they could. So glad that I popped into the Wheatsheaf and had a pint with him on my way thru` LB a couple of years ago. I merely asked a couple of locals ``you don`t happen to know a chap called Roy Clarke, by any chance, do you?`` Instant success - should have known that you can`t hide someone like him! it`s a nice memory.
Ray Ruddick
Hurley 04/12/2006 18:49:56

It`s taken me a very long time to think of this.I first knew roy when he worked in the Red Lion Heath and Reach and that was the place to go to get a good beer and play freebird on the jukebox (boy do I hate that song now) that was the best jukebox in town then. Well Roy came to work at The Wheatsheaf and I worked with I think for about Twenty years.The best advice Roy gave me concerning age limits was "if they have pubes and boobs" serve them. Here we are in nov 2006 and I miss the old git, due to the challenge of having to find something new to listen to and asking him or him asking me about it. Roys other favorite saying was "YES YES YES" boy did we all hear that over the years. Hope you have meet all your Jazz favorites up there ROY.
Junior
LB 01/11/2006 13:29:24

Hats off to a `proper person` an instantly likable (nay lovable) pidgeon chested character who would spin you a yarn so thin that you just had to believe it. Some of us may wonder what we`ll leave behind us... I`ve got loads of great memories (and some blank spaces) of Roy and I`ll never forget him.
Bob Gleed
Hastoe (City of) 16/09/2006 10:33:28

Roy was an axis of fun that we all revolved around,,,,,he is missed by all that knew him.
sean joyce aka O`Loon
ballina 30/08/2006 20:43:43

Knew Roy since his Red Lion, Heath days, always had time for a chat and always the most pleasant guy you could wish to meet. Will be sadly missed. Phil
Phil
LB 18/08/2006 19:12:31

Somewhat late with this tribute, sorry. It`s at sad times like this that you recall good times. I remember Roy as a great bloke. Pleasant, friendly, positive, helpful. I remember being over in Milton Keynes around February 2000, sorting out stuff after my fathers` death. I spotted Roy at the bus stop, and offered him a lift back to LB, which he accepted. We had a good chat on the way back. The sort of person I would always have time for. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Ian Lee
formerly LB, now Birmingham 16/07/2006 23:12:08

Hello dear friends, I just wanted to express my many thanks for all the help support and love shown to me following Roy`s death. What could have been a bleak and lonely time was made a time of sharing and support and I would like to thank you all. Particular thanks to Geoff and Liz who provided so much help and assistance, arranging the happiest wake I have ever attended, informing people, looking after Roy and visiting him in hospital and helping him when he returned home. there are so many things Liz did for him including sending him out in a neatly ironed outfit. Thank you to Terry for finding exactly the right poems for the service that reflected his personality and taste and that were meaningful and amusing, Also for giving up days to help sort out his huge poetry collection but most of all for giving me the space to talk about Roy`s final hours. To Nick for helping sort and pack books sharing many tales of Roy and a wonderful speech at the service which made us all laugh. To Marina for a great poem, please put it on her for us all to share. To Kate for liasing with the health services and taking stuff away to recycle. Thank you all so much for all the love and support you showed me and the wonderful stories and memories my dad you were kind enough to share. Yours in frinendship love Niki.
niki trelawny
Brighton 21/06/2006 16:35:02

Charismatic, engaging, amusing, entertaining, charming, interesting - no eulogy can do him justice. A great man and pleased to say he had a great send off too. Really enjoyed last Friday (sorry if that is the wrong thing to say about a funeral) but everyone did him proud. We were all sad at the crematorium but am sure Roy would have been chuffed to see how it went afterwards at the Wheatsheaf.
Claire (Catch the Guiness)
14/06/2006 17:28:23

I first met Roy when working at the bookshop in LB where he was a loyal and regular customer. Around the same time I started frequenting the Wheatie with a group of mates and Roy always had a smile and a wink for us. He was part of what made the wheatie special. Couldn`t make the celebration as I`ve only just heard, but we`ll have a pint or two for Roy!
H
Bournemouth 13/06/2006 20:30:10

Very sad news - a long time since I had seen him but my heartfelt sympathy to all who were close to him.
Darren Biggadike
Spalding 13/06/2006 09:00:36

Hi Guys, A few words on Roy`s demise. I don`t feel capable of composition so these are lifted from sources close to me. Fiend behind the fiend behind the fiend behind the fiend. Mastodon with mastery, monster with an ache. At the tooth of the ego, the dead drunk judge: Wheresover Thou art our agony will find Thee Enthroned on the darkest altar of our heartbreak Perfect. Beast, brute, bastard, O dog, my God! - George Barker, Sacred Elergy V, 1943 Lay down my dear brother Lay down and take your rest Won`t you lay your head upon your saviours breast I love you but Jesus loves you best And we bid you goodnight .......goodnight .........goodnight - Bahamian Folk Song Fare Thee well Fare Thee well We love you more than words can tell Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock your soul - Robert Hunter And finally in the words of Charles Schultz creator of the Peanuts strip - "Good Grief" So please Guys from all of us who could not be with you we hope you had some "Good Grief". Love Eddy Ps I first met Roy in September 1967 Apologies for the late arrival of this tribute but I had a little computer trouble! Marion
Eddy Poole
Briston, Norfolk 11/06/2006 22:59:32

what a fantastic send off for Roy, it had a real party atmosphere and he would have been realy overwhelmed by the turnout. Personally we have not been to such a great celabration of life before and we had a very sad but a most glorious day in the company of great people
Geoff & Liz
10/06/2006 02:36:46

What can I say, Roy was one of the nicest geezers out there. Made drinking in the local something special. Sadly missed.....Good luck Mate
Stuart
Csongrad 09/06/2006 15:48:07

Roy, you will be sadly missed. A great bloke with great taste in music and art. You had nicknames for all of us!! My thoughts go out to your family.xx Ed Page (Chubbs)
Ed Page
Leighton Buzzard 09/06/2006 13:38:01

I always admired Roy`s taste in music. Sorry to hear the sad news of his passing.
Simon (Get Smart)
07/06/2006 22:40:04

When i moved to lb the wheatie was the 1st pub i ever went to and Roy was on of the 1st people i ever spoke to from then on in he always found time to say hello and have a chat. Cheers ROY YOU MADE LB HOME TO ME XX
me
leighton buzzard 07/06/2006 15:03:23

I remember Roy as a man with a zest for life. He will be sadly missed.
Alistair
Leighton Buzzard 06/06/2006 17:40:42

its very touching to see your comments.tim (roys son)
tim clark
brighton 05/06/2006 18:58:37

The time and the date for Roy (The Boy`s) funeral will be Crown Hill Crematorium Milton Keynes 3.30pm (15:30hrs) Friday 9th June 2006 and then back to The Wheatsheaf Leighton Buzzard...
Geoff and Liz
Leighton Buzzard 01/06/2006 08:07:42

how about a Roy page? We can all share our stories then!
me
29/05/2006 15:55:41

What can one say....lost for words here..... Only can say....one of the best.....
Ferret
Grimethorpe 25/05/2006 22:10:22

One true Mod/..Never Forget you Roy Rock and Roll...CHEERS
Bob the Builder
Leighton Buzzard 25/05/2006 21:52:44

one of the great characters... he`ll be sorely missed!
billy the fish
25/05/2006 19:15:45

rock on roy! we`ll miss you
python pants
25/05/2006 11:55:08

We have some sad news for one and all. Roy (The Boy) Clarke has past away to the great pub in the sky. We are sure everyone that has ever known Roy will have a tale to tell about the chap. We will keep you all posted. Yes Yes Yes
Liz and Geoff
Leighton Buzzard 25/05/2006 11:08:10

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