Last week’s Rye News reported briefly on the death of Clifford Jordan, and another personal memory has been received since.
“Clifford Jordan was a friend, raconteur, talented musician, entertainer, and caring and proud member of the Rye community, and his association with my family goes back longer than I can remember, but my most vivid recollections go back to the 1960s and 1970s.
He introduced me to the colourful world of racing (horses and dogs) and often took close friends to race tracks around Kent and Sussex; and his musical soirées were delightful gatherings of young Ryers around his grand piano, being entertained with songs and anecdotes, with his mother in attendance supplying us with refreshments.
Indeed, it was at one of these events that I met a rather interesting, red-haired girl who eventually became my wife. Thank you Clifford. I soon found out that she worked at a local turf accountant with Clifford and it was suggested that Clifford’s mother had ideas of a different alliance than ours!
Choosing a good name
Clifford remained a close friend and in years to come, became godfather to one of our daughters. He was amused to inform us that we had, appropriately, named her after a racehorse that had run at around the time of her christening!
Clifford spent most of his working life imparting his love of music to others, having much success in competitions locally. He was passionate about Rye and got involved in politics in the 60s and 70s, and also made a surprising come-back victory in 1995.
His motivation was never greed or self satisfaction but simply to see locals, especially the young, achieve happy, successful and enriched lives in a town they could be proud of.
Tragically, the last 20 years of his life was blighted by the effects of Parkinson’s which eventually, physically prevented him from doing the things he loved.
However, his mind stayed sharp to the end and his memories never faded!
RIP Clifford Jordan
Image Credits: Chris Lawson .