Many of you will have heard about the destruction of Ken's workshop at Dimmer, near Castle Cary in Somerset. Ken lived in part of the workshop - so most of his household effects are gone along with all his tools - and no insurance cover. It was definitely arson, and there was no evidence as to who did it. One of his cats died, another lost all its whiskers and at least 2 of its 9 lives.

Ken told us at Petworth (Sunday 16th July 2000) that he now knew who had lit the fire. He had a very odd phone call from a friend of a certain party, who admitted lighting the fire, allegedly "to do Ken a favour"..... It seems this chap thought Kenny needed a new workshop, and if it was thought the fire was caused by a methane leak, from a nearby landfill site, then Kenny would cop a load of compensation - or so he thought...

"With friends like that, who needs enemies?" That just about sums it up - and this so-called friend has now been sectioned under the Mental Helath Act, as a schizophrenic, and is now safely locked away. Shame that did not occur sooner, eh?

Ken got back from South Africa at the end of May 2000, where he was teaching underprivileged kids how to make and fly kites. He learned about the fire while out there, and some fund-raising occurred, so he had some clothes suitable for UK weather, on his return.
Harry & I saw him on Sunday 11th & 18th June, and he was unsure what his future held. What amazed us most of all, he was not at all bitter about the fire. The main workshop building is gutted, with holes in the roof, and is beyond putting back into order. He is converting a large lorry trailer into living quarters, and has most of the basics of life, in what looks like a modern (albeit spartan) gypsy caravan.
He has a good stock of balloon fabric and various other fabrics, but all his flying line, sewing thread, spars and fittings are gone, along with ALL his tools & machines.
Contributions of kite materials were invited, along with any items suitable for auction at Southsea Kite Festival, on Saturday 26th August.
The auction went wonderfully - some 85 lots were donated, along with a healthy amount of cash, and a total of some £1,800 was raised from that weekend alone.

~~ Ron Dell at Kiteability is Treasurer for the appeal ~~
A special account has been opened at Barclays Bank Enfield, sort Code 20-29-77, Acc No. 00569658
Contributions can be made by Bank Giro Credit or Credit Card, from your local bank.
Cheques should be made payable to Ken Knight Fund

As the account will be closing around the end of October 2000, please check with Ron Dell, before sending donations after that date.

	Here are some photos of Ken in South Africa. (He is on the left!) This one shows him in his "Frutus" T-shirt, part of the sponsorship deal from Cadbury's I guess the "kite trousers" come from the famous "Kites Up" stable - they caused much comment as usual.
	This one shows some of the many kites that were decorated by schoolchildren. They were on pre-cut Tyvek sheets, which Ken helped them to fit with cane spars. Twenty-two schools took part, and then all the kites were joined together in a giant kite arch.
	By the time this young boy arrived at the kite workshop, all the Tyvek was gone. Kenny helped him make a bin-bag sledge kite, and gave him some rolls of coloured insulating tape. Look what a great job he made of it - a car, spotty giraffe and smiley face! We must guess the G is his initial - what a talent!

STOP PRESS - Kenny is now on-line www.kennyskites.fsnet.co.uk .. or Tel. 01963 351482

If you wish to help, please contact:- Ron Dell (Kiteability) or Harry Douglas (P.K.F.) or Dicky Nourse (P.K.F.)

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The Appeal Fund is now closed - to see how it all turned out, Click Here

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