Cannon John Hester
We are very sad to announce that Canon John Hester died peacefully in St. Wilfrid’s Hospice on Saturday 9th February. Since moving to Oving on his retirement, Canon Hester had been Honorary Assistant Priest at St Andrew’s Church, Oving. During the Interregnum he was especially helpful in taking church services. He was canon residentiary of Chichester Cathedral from 1985 to 1997 and prior to that he spent 10 years as vicar of Brighton. His ministry was, however, devoted predominantly to members of the theatrical profession. After moving to Chichester, Canon Hester became a trustee of the Festival Theatre, and also chairman of the Chichester Centre of Arts, vice-president of the Guild of Sussex Craftsmen, a trustee of the Royal Theatrical Fund and southern area chaplain of the Actors’ Church Union. There will be a memorial service in London and he will be buried there. We send our deepest sympathy to his three sons and their families.

Percy John William Luckham
John Luckham moved to Oving in 1951 to work as a cowman for Roger Pitts at Woodhorn, where he lived for the rest of his life. He was a true countryman who loved his cows and always brought the best out of animals and people. A very kind man.
He soon got involved in village life and enjoyed the friendly competition of the village fete, either growing onions or potatoes for the ‘best vegetable’ competition or competing in the ‘Round the Village race’. The village fete was a great part of village life that he, and many others, missed when it stopped.
He was a loving husband, father and great-grandfather. We as a family miss him and remind ourselves that he will always be part of us as we will always remember him. He was a fun loving man who had a good heart and a good sense of fair play.
The Luckham Family