by Alex Claridge

aclaridge@thekmgroup.co.uk

One of the most recognisable faces of Canterbury’s pub scene has died.

With long ginger beard and ponytail, Mark Sladden was a regular at the Lady Luck, the Cherry Tree and the Bell and Crown.

The Lady Luck, which has been open for almost three years, is going to put a plaque on the wall in Mark’s memory.

Gemma Porter, assistant manager of the pub in St Peter’s Street, said: “He always said he wanted a plaque up at the pubs he used to drink in – he was never one to shy away from talking about it.
“When we first opened, he was one of our first regulars and he would always sit at the bar drinking Old Rose cider, which was his usual. Mark was lovely and really friendly.”

The Lady Luck’s Facebook page was overwhelmed with messages of grief following Mark’s death last week.

Anthony Price posted: “No way, I thought this guy was a part of Canterbury. So sad he died. He will be missed and remembered forever.”

Mark, who was in his 50s, also worked at Simple Simon’s in St Radigund’s Street before it became The Parrott.

He worked behind the bar or doing odd jobs.

And eight years ago he appeared as an extra in a fantastical film called Teeth, shot in the 14th century pub and made by Canterbury director Nathan Crouch.

Nathan Woods, the manager of the Bell and Crown in Palace Street, knew Mark from his days working at the Cherry Tree and Simple Simon’s.
“I hadn’t seen him recently and had heard on the grapevine that he was unwell,” Nathan said. “He was a very nice, chatty bloke.”

Mark, who lived in the city centre, is believed to have died in hospital after becoming ill.