HAMBLE Old Boys Hockey Club are mourning the loss of their founder, Ken Makepeace.

Ken has passed away after a long illness. He was 86.

Ken went to Taunton College in Southampton, and was Head boy there in the early 1950s.

He later worked at Hamble School as a teacher, arranging sports lessons and PE lessons.

Ken’s friend David Ashman recalled: “He had that certain charm about him, teachers and pupils liked him, and got on with everybody.

“He could get easily excited over the slightest thing, and got embarrassed many times and went bright red.

“He was a joy to be around.”

Ken married Christine, another teacher at Hamble School, in August 1966.

Ken gave a lot of time to Hamble Old Boys and in 1974 he moved to Wool in Dorset to help run a new school.

Before he left, a farewell party was given to him and Christine, and he was made a life member of the club.

David added: “ Ken’s biggest thrill was Hamble Old Boys’ first ever fixture, where he arranged to play his old school Tauntons, who were known as Old Tauntonians, on September 29 1958.

“Hamble won their first match 6-4 and Ken was very proud.

“Fifty eight years on, Hamble Old Boys Hockey Club owe Ken Makepeace a lot.

“He has given many Old Boys many happy years of hockey, but most of all very long friendships, as many Old Boys, who are in their 70s, still manage to see each other.”

Ken leaves his wife Christine, daughter Deborah, son Neil, and grandchildren Johnathan, Alex, Lyndia and William.

His funeral was being held today in Wool, Dorset.