Kernow Goth

Written by Bert Biscoe, Truro OCS

The first thing you noticed about Chris Easton was his electric smile. It spoke of innate positivity, welcome and openness.

The second thing was that here was a serious minded man, at one with himself, who did not take himself too seriously. In Cornish culture we have the phenomenon of ‘Drekly!’. Some dismiss this as habitual prevarication. Chris, however, understood that it is a guiding principle in life that ensures the attainment of perfection as we wait for all factors to be well aligned before an action is taken.

Having the self-possession to await the key moment requires an inner balance, and Chris was always balanced, poised, alert and ready to help. It was these qualities that made him such a good friend, the conscience and energy in those things he chose to do, consistent and always cheerful. He was well-read but wore his knowledge lightly. He knew his home town of Perranporth like the back of his hand. He would take very unlikely crocodiles of folk fans for long walks around his manor, and they would return bright-eyed (often quite damp) and full of chatter and good Perran air. A stalwart of the Perranzabuloe OCS, Chris ensured that tradition lived alongside modernity, and that new faces were always welcomed and lifelong familiars never felt pushed aside.

Before his recent tragic diagnosis, I ran into Chris and Karin out for a wedding anniversary cup of tea in a café in Truro. Here was a couple with the fibres of loving friendship tied tightly between them. They were as open-hearted as ever, as generous with their time and conversation, and as beguilingly self-effacing as ever. Never mind, Perran or Kernow, the World misses people like Chris Easton when they go. His was a life and a personality which generated warmth, fun and genuine compassion. He always came back for more – until, sadly, he was no longer there. RIP (Rest in Perran) Chris!