Last week The English Apple Man received an email from an old friend!
Dear John,
"My reason for contacting you is that there is to be a memorial service for DAVID MOOR on Sunday 14th Sept at Waltham church at 12.00 noon.
"I will be saying a few words ( very few, being mindful that Lincoln took just two mins for the famous Gettysburg address) as the fruit industry was a major part of David's life it would be good if any others might like to attend beyond the likes of me".
Kind regards - Tom Browne.
This 'voice from the past' is Tom Browne ex Waveney Apple Growers and Norfolk Fruit Growers.
I have know Tom for more than 30 years, since when back then, he was CEO of Norfolk Fruit Growers, a lovely man with a passion for the apple industry, we always enjoyed each others company.
At this time down in Kent at the apple & pear cooperative East Kent Packers, David Moor was the EKP Technical Director responsible for the massive apple stores built to keep EKP's large tonnage of Cox Orange Pippin in perfect condition through the winter months for supply to the leading UK Supermarkets.
I met David Moor after I joined Home Grown Fruit in 1994.
David's daughter Wendy sent me some background to David's life in Kent.
"I don't know how much Tom has told you. But basically Mum and Dad moved to Waltham, Kent over 30 years ago when Dad started the EKP job.
They had a happy time there, 'rescuing' an old mini-farmhouse, creating the most amazing garden from nothing, and very much involved in the local community. Dad's sight and health declined gradually, and Mum was in effect his carer by the time she died suddenly in 2021.
Us three siblings have had a challenging time caring for Dad and maintaining the house - all from a distance and with already challenging lives. We moved him to a care home last year near my sister Susie in Bishop's Stortford".
"We would of course be delighted if you were able to spread the word about Dad's Celebration of Life on Sunday 14th September, 12 noon, in any way you feel appropriate - particularly as that date is now indeed very much 'impending'!
It's the only date the church were able to offer us in the end this side of Christmas, leaving us with very little time for sorting everything out - but an upside is that serendipitously, given Dad's background (like yours by the sounds of it, growing up on a Kentish fruit-farm), the harvest festival service will also be that day, just before Dad's.
We are having Elizabeth Poston's 'Jesus Christ the apple tree' as one of the recorded music items (one of the things I sang gently to Dad as he was dying, and it gave him comfort). And in the absence of Dad's older brother (who died a few years ago), sister (too unwell to travel) and godson/nephew (in Rome, also long-term unwell) one of his cousins will be talking a little about the family background as part of his tribute.
Wendy Moor asked me to include this message: "Saying people are very welcome to contact me, or to just turn up. We would be delighted to have them with us. Wendy mobile: 07792 055067
The English Apple Man Comments
It always fascinates me that as we gather to pay tribute to old friends, we think we know all about their 'life history' but so often we learn so much more about the 'old friend' than we were conscious of;
John Hinchcliffe whose family were among the founder members of EKP - pointed out to me that David Child Moor (born 18 December 1934) was an English former first-class cricketer.
On Wikipedia: "Moor was born at Faversham in December 1934. He attended The King's School, Canterbury, where he was considered one of the most promising public schools batsmen in 1954. He went on to Trinity College, Oxford where he played first-class cricket for Oxford University in 1956. He made three appearances, all at Oxford, against Yorkshire, Hampshire and Lancashire. He scored 44 runs in his three matches, with a high score of 22.
David's daughter Wendy added; "Dad was a left-hander, considered to be very skilled and graceful. He batted at No. 4 and he faced the legendary Fred Trueman, and cover drove him for four!
As with most things, Dad didn't tell us much about any of this. He was very modest. And utterly loyal. It seems his cricket career was cut short because he had to choose between a match and being best man at his brother's wedding. Wendy continues; "I suppose meeting Mum might have had something to do with him not continuing too....
Wendy added; he was unbelievably, quietly, brave. He faced some pretty awful health issues over a long period of time.
"We celebrated his 90th birthday in December in his care home, with a very jolly little party. I like to think of him and Mum 'up there' planning another project. They were quiet achievers together, building their own little Bungalow in Norfolk for their first 30 years there, and then renovating an old Kentish farmhouse for their second 30, while creating an amazing garden from nothing and being key members of the village community!"
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DAVID MOOR
Below: St Bartholomew's Church, Church Lane CT4 5SS
Sunday 14th September 2025, 12 noon
You are warmly invited to join with us in celebrating Dad's life and laying his ashes to rest at St Bartholomew's Church, Waltham, followed by light refreshments at Walnut Tree Farm.
Waltham locations
Waltham Recreation Ground, Church Lane - designated parking
CT4 5SQ
Waltham Village Hall, Richdore Road - general use any time eg. toilets, rest, shelter
CT4 5SH
Walnut Tree Farm, Richdore Road CT4 5SL
Access to/at locations - The church and house are just under half a mile apart. The road is mostly level, but the pavement does not extend all the way.
Note that there will be a Harvest Festival service in the church 9.30am-11.15am.
Please take care on the uneven and sometimes slippery Walnut Tree Farm brick terracing and paths.
Parking: There is almost no parking at the church, and none at the village hall or house.
So if you are able, please use the central recreation ground.
While my time spent in David's company back in the 1990's was minimal, I remember a man with calm demeanour and gentle smile. I wish I had known him for longer, but from my correspondence with Wendy, I am sure much more will be revealed at David' Celebration of Life Service.
Remember: Wendy Moor asked me to include this message: "Saying people are very welcome to contact me, or to just turn up. We would be delighted to have them with us. Wendy mobile: 07792 055067
I pass my sincere condolences to Wendy, her sister Susie and brother Chris.
That is all for this week
Take care
The English Apple Man