I am Adrian Pont and I am one of Clive Ponting’s four cousins; the others are Elizabeth, Philippa and Simon. Our mothers were sisters and our two families, Pont and Ponting, grew up in Bristol and shared many family times together. Subsequently our paths diverged but we met up again from time to time over the years, especially at significant family events and reunions, even in London where Clive and I were working at the time. We lost close touch when he moved to Greece and then to France, but sister Philippa kept in touch with Clive and exchanged family news. She had been puzzled that she had not heard from him this year, and we can now see that losing Diane and then having to deal alone with his grief and his own ill-health were the reasons for this. Now it is good to have this opportunity to share some thoughts and memories of Clive.

We have very fond memories of Clive, I kept in touch with him via an email usually once a year with family news and looked forward to his replies which were always interesting and entertaining. He very kindly let me stay with them in London when I had a meeting to attend, and some years later we visited them at their small holding whilst on holiday in Wales. Clive was always kind, interested and amusing - I loved his take on politics and his comments on certain individuals !! Somehow life and family got in the way and we did not see him for some years and then he went abroad, we always hoped to visit Kelso. We did not realise quite how ill Clive was and were shocked to learn that he had died. We shall miss his witty and very apt comments on politics and life !! William and Philippa

We first met Clive in 2004 when we both had houses built on Alonissos. He and his then wife Laura were our nearest neighbours and we soon became friends. We regularly had drinks and meals at each others' houses (he was a very good cook) and ate out in tavernas together, and we continued to socialise after he and Di got together. We often got into animated discussions about politics etc. We had a weekly walking group exploring different parts of the island which Clive organised for several years. We only spend half the year in Alonissos and in our absence Clive (although not a cat lover) would kindly feed the cats we had acquired and water our plants. In return we would bring back strong cheese and contributions to the model railway he was constructing in his spare bedroom. He would also keep us updated by email as to what was happening on the island. When Clive and Di left Alonissos in June 2011 we had a leaving party for them at our house to which most of the expats came. A friend made a brilliant cake, the Aloni band played and Clive even danced! They came to stay with us the following year and bought us a pink bouganvillia which is thriving. We stayed with them in France for a few days and they were very hospitable, taking us out every day to different places. Sadly we never got to visit them in Kelso. We last heard from Clive 3 weeks before he died. In his email he said "The BJ government has to be the worst in living memory! I can't believe they are so incompetent and, as expected, corrupt." I really regret not replying to say that, for once, I totally agreed with him! Pete & Jill

I’m sure others will comment on his warmth, wicked humour, depth of knowledge, his love of debate (to the death if the opponent was worthy, to some sort of agreement otherwise.) His generosity in material things and of spirit marked him out as special, as did his passionate belief in fairness, in individuals and more passionately in politicians. He loved to read John Crace in the Guardian, he consistently enjoyed his humour his politics and his sentiments. His friends in France gave Clive and Di a luxury steam train ride through the Highlands to mark their return to the U.K. He gave us the pick of his music and his library, guiding us towards the choice pieces that he thought we’d particularly enjoy. His favourite French wine was from a Vineyard not too far from his French home. It is called L’Ame. French for soul....how apposite.

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Clive. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.