CLARE ASKAROFF

(SIMPLANTEX)

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It was either fated, or the most incredible set of coincidences, that brought the Generating Station's savoir together. For sure, without him, Nikolai Askaroff, had it in mind to demolish what he saw as a liability. That was until he was running short of change, and wanted to secure the skills of his best decorator & handyman.

Clare Askaroff (nee Martin) was a fine artist, a water colourist, in the style of Beatrix Potter, and very much in love with the end of terrace house she purchased with her husband Nikolai in 1981.

It is no coincidence that Simplantex negotiated with the Estate of Beatrix Potter to be able to use her illustrations on a line of baby cot sets and duvets. Etc.

Clare came to know Victor the handyman, because of his high skill levels, while he was working for Rosemarie Askaroff at the Simplantex factory in Eastbourne. Nick's mother Rosemarie was also fond of Victor, and Nick was the Managing Director of the family firm.  Nick's wife Clare, was enamored of Victor's woodworking and decorating abilities, another factor in the proposal that followed, after discovery of the dilapidated generating sheds on the other side of Lime Park. She wished for a versatile handyman within the Park and could not hide that fact.

For his part, Victor was fond of Clare's amazing fruit cakes. She would often bake him a large cake on Friday afternoon, that he may enjoy over the weekend. His favourite was Wild Cranberry.

The dilapidated buildings, were not that much of a bargaining tool, as Victor pointed out to Clare and her husband, since they was set to demolish them. Yet, it was the starting point for negotiations, and soon a figure was settled, where Victor would decorate and renovate number four, to include refurbishing the multitude of sash windows. The workings of which had seen better days. 

Hence, Clare got her dream home and the best decorator in Eastbourne for the job. Skilled in hanging heavy embossed ceiling and wall papers.

An aerial view of Herstmonceux Museum in 2022, showing the public footpaths north of the generating buildings. Many of which are unregistered, but well trodden for over forty years, from our records.

Eventually, as is the way of the world, once her children were well on their way, heading into the big wide world, Clare and Nick divorced. Clare retained the house in Lime Park, which she enjoyed for many years, with a fondness for restoring and hand painting old wooden furniture.

Eventually, Clare succumbed to a particularly virulent form of cancer, which she battled valiantly for many years.

RIP

Clare Askaroff passed away the victim of cancer. May she Rest In Peace.

If it had not been for Nikolai (Nick) marrying Clare Martin, and moving to Lime Park, Victor would never have discovered the old Electricity Generating Works, or been able to negotiate with the renowned negotiator, to purchase the rundown monument. A deal to remember.

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