Published at 16:33, Friday, 22 February 2013

IT was a haunt so familiar to him and his friends that Andy Clarke nicknamed it “headquarters” – or “HQ”.

ANDY CLARKE

Now The Crown at North Scale on Walney has become home to a permanent memorial to the immensely popular man known as “Clarko” by all those dear to him.

A table and seating area has been placed in the pub’s grounds in honour of the 31-year-old, who died in October after a seven-month battle against a brain tumour.

Mr Clarke’s mum, Michelle Kidd, said: “The day that we buried his ashes, we went down to The Crown – HQ he called it – and we were trying to decide where to put a bench. All his mates said, ‘Why don’t he have it here?’.

“It was his favourite pub. He used to go up there every Sunday with his friends.”

The memorial was paid for using funds raised during a race night held at the Nines in Barrow in October.

Mrs Kidd said: “It was organised by McBrides, where I work.

“I’d like to thank Debbie, Elaine and Laura for organising the event, everybody who went and all those who made donations.”

Mrs Kidd also thanked The Crown’s landlady, Marie Elliott, for allowing the family to put the table and seating area in the pub’s garden, and Chris’s Memorials in Barrow.

On Sunday she, Mr Clarke’s wife, Lisa, and other family and friends will come together to drink a toast in Mr Clarke’s honour.

The family is inviting everyone who knew and loved him to join them at the pub at 2pm.

The Walney-based BAE worker and devout Liverpool fan inspired hundreds of people during his fight against cancer.

The keen cyclist, who also played for Walney Island Football Club, inspired the slogan “Clarko=Courage”, which was worn on red wristbands all over Barrow following his death.

Mrs Kidd said all those who want to pay tribute are welcome to join them this weekend.

She said: “We’re all going to raise a glass of ‘Morgies’. That was his tipple of choice, and there’s a little rhyme about it engraved on the table.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk