Tributes paid to window cleaner Mick

Michael Turner, known as Mick, passed away recently just weeks before his 82nd birthday on January 15 2020.

Mick had been cleaning windows in his home town for 30 years, and also spent 13-and-a-half years as a milkman in the town.

He only retired at the age of 81 earlier this year.

Mick, who was born and raised in nearby Huntington, was the youngest of nine children.

He moved to the town when he was 12, left Kington Secondary Modern School at 15 and had done a myriad of different jobs ever since.

His first job was at Dowlings ironmongers, then he completed two years of national service in the Army before working as a storeman at Edwards Garage.

Three separate stints at Kay Alloys in Presteigne followed, as well as a job at a discount store in Kington.

But the Llewellin Road resident was already running a part-time business as a window cleaner.

After 13-and-a-half years working as a milkman in Kington and Titley, Mick went self-employed and started working as full-time a window cleaner.

He met and married his late wife Sue in 1965 at Hopton Castle Church and they had three children, Neil, Leslie and Nick, and he had one grandchild.

History society

But a busy work and family life didn’t stop Mick from becoming a stalwart of Kington’s community too.

He was a retained firefighter for more than 32 years. He retired when he was 55, a must in those days, although he would have liked to have carried on.

Mick was also a town councillor for 32 years until 2014 and he was also one of the longest serving members of the town’s history society, having joined in 1979.

He was a trustee of Kington Museum from the beginning and was its chairman for 14 years.

Mick is also well known after attending various events across the area with his public address system including Norton Show, Shobdon Food and Flying Festival and Kinsham Show.

Kington Mayor Councillor Bob Widdowson said; “Michael (Mick) Turner was a man rooted in his community. He served it in numerous ways and one of the principal ways was as a town councillor on Kington Town Council.

“I joined the council 10 years ago and Mick was by then already an experienced councillor. I soon learned that if you wanted to know what was going on in Kington , you asked Mick - if you didn't he would tell you anyway. Because Mick was passionate about Kington and its townsfolk. He wanted the best for the town.

“I knew about his work in the fire service, and during my time in Kington, his work for the museum and I know there was much else that Mick gave his time to.

“A familiar face to many in the town. Always someone to stop and chat to and catch up on the 'news'.

“Mick's loss leaves a gap and on behalf of Kington Town Council I offer our condolences to his family and many friends. Thank you, Mick and rest in peace.”

Mick’s funeral will take place at Hereford Crematorium on Thursday, January 9, at 12pm, followed by a gathering at Hereford Rowing Club.

Family flowers only but donations for St Michael’s Hospice would be appreciated.