Mark Hinson (6 Feb 1960 - 28 May 2020)

Really shocked to have heard the news about Mark’s passing, he was such a sensitive soul who was kind & generous spirited. Much love to Belinda & Anna at this very sad time.

From the Ashford AC cross country team. His support and encourage will be missed.

Stella and Briony

This is the text of the speech I tried to make at Marks Funeral last Friday. I got about three quarters of the way through before my voice failed me. I loved Mark, my lifelong friend.

Dez Wordz

Over the last few weeks Marks friends have been reminiscing about the good times we have spent with him. I’d like to share some of those thoughts with you now


When I think of Mark I think of Laughter. His face was lined with a lifetime of laughing. His sense of humour was often silly, always generous, and never at anothers expense.

He was light on his feet and light in his disposition. He was no heavy weight, he would never bring you his troubles. It seemed like he didn't have any. To spend time with him was easy. It was easy and fun. When I would meet him in a pub or anywhere for that matter I knew we were in for a good time. His commitment to fun was absolute. He would always go the extra mile.

Mark was generous to the point of excess. At last orders he would often buy everyone a drink and follow that with an “experimental” cider to share. The next day while we nursed hangovers he would get up early run a half marathon and would finish in the first ten, that’s if he hadn't won the race.
Simon Brockley remembers, One particularly boozy night was the 1999 Champions league final when Manchester United clinched that historic treble in dramatic late circumstances. We watched it in the Mill and at full time Mark went to the bar and bought a bottle of Champagne. It was ridiculously superfluous. We’d already had about 6 pints and I don’t even like the stuff but it was a wonderfully generous gesture because, although he probably wasn’t that bothered about the result, Man Utd were my team and he was just pleased for me.


JJ said.
He was possessed of an extraordinary and unique physicality being composed almost entirely of gristle and sinew, he seemed indestructible.
Mark’s reputation often preceded him. He would recount with some mirth the time he first met Belinda, when she said. You’re Mark Hinson? What? The Mark Hinson.
Marks running prowess could turn a girls head.

In the days when we were young enough, and old enough, to go to nightclubs Mark was the rabbit full of duracells on the dance floor, exuberant and irrepressible

Simon recalls, Dancing. was something he excelled at. He was so lithe and bouncy (as Marieann, says, rubbery) and he had a brilliant repertoire of Northern Soul moves. No idea where that came from (don’t think he ever went to Wigan in his life) but, be it in Edwards in Watergate Street, Rascals/Smartyz/et al in Love street or just a house party I loved watching him in full flow (though a little bit jealous too).


Ray said,

I have two abiding memories of our time together The first was when we went to see The Jam in Sheffield in 1979, and half the crowd turned up in Parkas. I've never been in such a cramped, sweaty hall. Grown men were fainting - given there was about 1% oxygen in there it was hardly surprising. I thought we were going to get crushed to death by a bunch of mods.........and I don't even like The Jam that much ! I remember thinking if this is the way we are going to go why couldn't it have been XTC ?

The next was the Chelsea - Middlesbrough league cup final, whenever that was - sometime in the 90's I guess. Middlesbrough lost of course but my memory is of taking the tube to Wembley and jumping on the carriage only to find it stuffed with Chelsea fans. I was all set to put on my best mockney, sarf Lodon geezer accent to blend in but our position was somewhat undermined by the fact that Mark was proudly wearing a red and white scarf........oh dear. Luckily it didn't go beyond a few menacing stares. I don't think we were deemed worthy of beating up.........plus I was wearing glasses.

let's start supporting Middlesbrough in Mark’s honour


Mark kept many childhood friends for his whole life. Marieann wrote “Mark, myself and Gavin grew up in Richmond Crescent. We discovered oil in the backfield.
I will always remember Mark's kindness. He and Jon were my first visitors to the maternity ward to welcome the 'baby buzzard' Jessica to the fold.

Mark had processed Jessica's heel prick test and brought the results with him.
He also brought Jessica's first ever toy. It was a hedgehog hand puppet. Jessica called him Abu.

We still have Abu.





Mark delighted in all the living things on the planet. Frogs and newts,and spiders in jam jars, He had a big stick insect, tropical fish in a tank and a chicken that used to wander into the kitchen. One time we caught some eels in the canal. We took them home and Mark's mum cooked them for us. They tasted like the canal. Mark dug a pond in his back garden and all the creatures that crawl got in it. Sometimes with the help of his home brewed beer he got in it too. Mark had style. He drove an old VW Beetle and a vintage Lambretta. He would occasionally give me a present out of the blue, an ashtray or a mug, something quirky and oddly groovy.

As Simon said. He always seemed comfortable in his own skin, never felt compelled to conform to the notion of being ‘cool’ and had no shred of an ego. Even as a teenager he exuded calmness, was philosophical about setbacks and took everything in his stride.

In recent years mark would regularly visit his Mum, Audrey in Chester. This would give me the chance to catch up with him. Invariably the first half an hour would be an enthusiastic account of Anna’s exploits on the football pitch or an outing in a sailing dinghy, or whatever the latest thing was. Of all his achievements Mark was most proud of Anna.

The last time I saw Mark was with JJ Over a curry and a beer or two earlier this year, JJ said, “His love for his daughter came out strongly alongside that great, bounding enthusiasm for the world and the things he wanted to do”.



He didn’t seem to age, perhaps because he stayed so fit but also because all his life he kept the child within. You could always rely on Mark. He would always join in. He would never leave anyone to sit alone. Always cheerful, and with a gentle humour, he would find the fun in everything and everyone.

I’ll leave the last word to Simon

Along with Moj, Mark was my closest friend when I returned to Chester after Uni and having a few quiet pints with him (or them) putting the world to rights in somewhere like the Faulkner or Little Oak are amongst my happiest times ever. I missed him when he left for Kent and I’ll miss the times I envisaged we'd have had in retirement when there was more scope for catching up. But I am so very grateful for the times we did have and it was my privilege to have had a pal for nearly half a century, so overflowing with bonhomie and who was in possession of such a generosity of spirit. He was simply good fun and our world won’t be the same without him.

Dear Belinda, Anna and Mrs Hinson,
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this message. Mark was such a special man. A rare free spirit who touched the hearts of all he met. An exemplary father to Anna, a rock to both Belinda and his mother and a true friend to us. Always a generous, gracious and welcoming host, Mark was kind, curious, knowledgeable and a part of our story. We miss him but are grateful for the memories. I know that he will often pop up in our conversations and bring a smile to our faces, because that is who Mark was.

Truly sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Deepest thoughts and condolences to Belinda and Anna. All my love.

Thinking of all Mark’s loved ones.

Really top nice guy, RIP mate

Mark you were one of a kind, a loving husband and fantastic Dad to Anna plus an active member of your community. You have left your "Mark" on the world and memories of you will live on. God Bless

Much love and strength to you; Belinda and Anna. We will remember Mark for always willing to particpate in our team madcap dinner party games and of course for looking out for him as he sped passed at many of the Julie Rose Givaudan 10 k runs....and still smiling.
Love Nina, Jeff, Poppy & Evie xx

Dearest Mark, You are already so missed. I keep expecting to walk around the corridor to hear you laughing, or see you smiling in your chair wondering whether to take cover from one of the practical jokes lurking in your drawer, that made me jump a mile in the air! I miss hearing you talk with everyone and joke around. You had so many great stories and brought such a warmth and sense of calm in what can be a hectic environment. Thank you for dropping me home when it was heavy rain and snowing and I was pregnant waiting for the bus, despite your own long drive home (it meant a lot) and for every day you made better just by being yourself. It is hard to meet genuinely kind people, however with you it came so naturally. I feel both blessed and very fortunate to have known you and thank you for making the beginning of our working career all the better just for you having been a part of it. Don't get up to too much mischief! With love and best wishes, Amy

Such a nice man taken far too soon, always smiling. Will miss working with you, love to your family

I was very shocked to hear that Mark had passed away
Mark to me was a very pleasant humble man. He was also a great Athlete/Runner for Helsby running club! I can remember him clearly, and what I see is an ever smiling person. One that will be missed by all.who knew him. My sincere condolences to all.his family and friends
R.I.P. Mark! Gone but not forgotten!

Mark, you were a fantastic club runner. An inspiration to others. But more importantly a truly nice guy. You will ne sadly missed. Rest in peace mate. Simmo