FRED Clarke – believed to be the oldest resident of Royston – has died two days before his 103rd birthday. Mr Clarke, of Morton Street, was born and bred in Royston and for 40 years worked for Jacklin & Hale, where he became manager of the small works dep

FRED Clarke - believed to be the oldest resident of Royston - has died two days before his 103rd birthday.

Mr Clarke, of Morton Street, was born and bred in Royston and for 40 years worked for Jacklin & Hale, where he became manager of the small works department.

He was actively involved in the community and was appointed a Justice of the Peace to the bench at the then Royston Magistrates' Court in 1955 and became deputy chairman of the juvenile court.

For 35 years he was a member of the management committee at Shaftesbury House School.

Mr Clarke was a govenor, too, at Icknield Walk School and Roysia School.

He was elected as a Labour councillor to Royston Urban District Council and became chairman of the housing committee.

Throughout his life he was keen on sport and played for Royston Town Football Club for 12 years and for Royston Cricket Club for 29 years.

He became a vice-president of the cricket club.

His other sporting activity was bowls and he played for Royston Bowls Club well into his 90s. He was proud of his year as club president and of becoming a life member and honorary vice-president.

A memorial service for Mr Clarke will be held at Royston Methodist Church in Queens Road at 4pm on Friday, August 22.