Kentish Express Ashford & District
River death shock
Messages and flowers left in Mark’s memory
Friends have spoken of their shock and sadness after an Ashford man was found dead in the river.
Emergency services packed the corner where East Hill meets Mace Lane on Sunday morning after a passer-by saw a body in the stream.
The man was pulled from the River Stour and has since been identified as Mark Worsfold, 50, a mechanic from the town.
Landlord Tom Dixon, who runs The George in Ashford High Street, where Mr Worsfold was a regular, said: “Mark was a very popular customer with both staff and other customers.
“He always had a smile on his face, would always want to say hello and had a very close group of friends.”
Flowers have been left tied to railings nearby and one tribute read: “Mark, always in our hearts. Miss you always”
Tributes have poured in for a man with a “beaming smile” who died in Ashford over the weekend.
Mark Worsfold, 50, was found dead in the River Stour on Sunday morning.
Emergency crews were called to East Hill after a passer-by saw his body in the stream.
Although it is not clear how he died, police have confirmed Mr Worsfold’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
Over the next few days, bunches of flowers and messages were left tied to the railings near where Mr Worsfold, who was from the town, was found.
One tribute reads: “Mark, always in our hearts. Miss you always.”
Another said: “Mark, there are no words to express my sadness.”
It is understood that Mr Worsfold was a mechanic who previously worked at Caffyns Vauxhall, on the Orbital Park.
He was a regular in The George pub in Ashford High Street, and also enjoyed visiting The Swan and the John Wallis, formally The Man of Kent, both in the town centre.
Since his death, friends have spoken of his cheeky smile and kind heart.
Author, and Kentish Express columnist, Steve Salter, said: “This is such a tragedy, he was one genuinely lovely guy.
“I was only chatting to him the other day.
“Mark was one of my old customers at The Swan in Tufton Street and I also met up with him again when he worked at Caffyns Vauxhall.
“He would come out of the workshop to talk.
“He always had a beaming smile for you. I am so saddened by his premature passing and offer my since condolences to his family.”
Tom Dixon, who runs The George pub, as well as the Tickled Trout, in Wye, and Flying Horse, in Boughton Aluph, said Mr Worsfold’s “jovial” personality would be missed.
He said: “Mark was a very popular customer with both staff and other customers and has been using The George Hotel as far back as I can remember.
“He always had a smile on his face, would always want to say hello and had a very close group of friends.
“My team are shocked and deeply saddened. His jovial character will be missed by all of us at The George.
“Indeed, he celebrated his 50th with us just a few weeks ago.”
Mr Dixon said a night would be organised in his memory.
He added: “Mark came in every Saturday night. His best friend Jim is organising a night this week in his remembrance.”
‘Mark was a very popular customer with both staff and other customers’