Ken Harbin 1933- 2015

Ken Harbin, our neighbour, was born in 1933 in Betws-y-coed to William Brewis Harbin and Helena May Harbin and spent must of his early years while his father was serving in the Royal Engineers with his brother Colin living on a farm near Roadhead, Cumbria .

In 1949 Ken joined the army serving in Egypt and Africa. His role was to analyse the high resolution stereo photographs taken by reconnaissance aircraft tracking the movement of insurgent forces and hidden vehicles.

As a young man he played a lot of tennis and cricket. 

It was whilst serving in Kenya that he met Dulcie, they married on 4th June 1955. They honeymooned at the Shelley Beach Hotel Nairobi, and while in Kenya they had their first son 'Antony' - known to many of the South Terrace residents. Later after returning to the UK their second son 'Stephen' was born.

Many are aware Ken spent time in his later years tending the gardens of close friends and neighbours. His love and knowledge for all things 'green' developed while the family lived in Newton Bewley, Hartlepool - there he grew the food that kept his family fed throughout the years. The garden was larger than most allotments and he grew all manner of fruit and vegetables; he also kept pigs, turkeys, chickens, anything that could either be sold/swapped or eaten - the original 'good life'.

In 1960 Ken started working at Cameron's Brewery based in Hartlepool, and his first role was 'area sales rep'. He worked for Camerons for many years rising through the ranks to finish as Regional Manager for the North of England. It was while working for Cameron Brewery that the family moved to South Terrace in 1965 and his award-winning 'hedge at No7' began its development! He continued with this company until his retirement.

Along with his love for his family, his next passion was for fishing.

Ken won many trophies and titles for Sea fishing from both shore and boat. The team of sea fishermen operated out of the 'Greyhound' pub in Parkgate (Kens local for many years). They team took part in many local and national competitions. 

When not able to get to the sea he was also a keen and very accomplished trout fisherman.
















One evening after his retirement from Camerons whilst Ken was having a swift half or two in the Greyhound, a member of staff from the Civic Theatre across the road from the pub came in looking for someone to help pull a couple of ropes during a performance; Ken gave it a go. That evening of rope pulling lasted for many years, during which he also moved/built scenery and moved performance equipment in and out of the Civic. He has held the rope while quite a few celebrities flew across the stage during panto time.

Ken will be missed enormously by his friends here on the terrace. He was the perfect neighbour.

Ken's last Christmas on the terrace