Farewell to Hastings Old Town character Kenny

Tributes were paid this week to Old Town character Kenny White who has died at the age of 88.
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Kenny’s brother is Dee Day White, who was involved in bringing two historic lifeboats back to the town.

Dee Day said: “My earliest memory of my big brother Kenny was around 1950 on the East Hill with our air guns.

Kenny was always the leader of the ‘Big Boys’.

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“He started the Rock-a-Nore Rockets cycle speedway team, for which he designed and made leather jerkins for the entire team, decorated with rockets blasting off.

“The races, at Rock-a-Nore car park always drew a large crowd and lots of other teams were in and around Hastings for competition.

Then came National Service for Kenny. I remember him in his Army uniform, coming home and helping Dad in the Dolphin pub.

“He met Joanie, a girl down from London on holiday, and won her heart. She was soon to be his wife. They opened a kiosk in Rock-a-Nore Road, and established a good reputation selling fresh crab sandwiches. They were gifted with a daughter, Janet in 1956.

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“Their next move was to a seafront shop, where Joanie sold beach goods, again very successfully.

“One winter’s holiday was enough to convince Kenny that Tenerife was their winter retreat, so for 25 years they made the island their second home.

“In Hastings Old Town and in Tenerife, he started a Petanque Club - the French game of Boules, which fitted in with his other hobby of sailing.

“He was an active member of Hastings Winkle Club, which raises money for local charities and good causes.

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“Between my oldest brother Bertie, who has passed away, Kenny and myself, we clocked up nearly 200 years of Winkle Club membership.

Kenny was a very popular community figure, who will be sorely missed. ‘Winkle Up, Kenny and say hello to Joanie for us - another star in heaven.”