Pinchbeck Croquet Club pays tribute to Gordon and Helen Mills from Weston Hills, who were tragically killed in a car accident in France

Friends have paid tribute to a couple who tragically died in a car accident while travelling in France.

Weston couple Gordon and Helen Mills both died on September 16 while travelling through the Loire Valley on their way to St Gervais NR Chamonix from Angouleme for the Circuit des Ramparts - a historic race circuit.

Members of the Pinchbeck Croquet Club have paid their respects to the couple at a recent competition — and reflected on the ‘sad’ news of the loss of their friends. The were keen travellers, spending time in France, Spain, Holland, North Africa, Vietnam and Thailand.

The club has complimented Mr Mills, who was born in Long Sutton, studying rural land management at Cirencester and later qualified as a chartered surveyor.

He became a partner at Hix and Son in Holbeach after following in his father’s footsteps.

Describing Gordon as an ‘enthusiastic croquet player’ who actively took part in club events, he started playing association croquet some six years ago and competed in tournaments around the county with notable success in the past two years.

In 2023 Gordon won two tournaments at the London Hurlingham Club and also qualified as a coach in the game.

Partnered by Ken Knock also from the Pinchbeck Croquet Club, Gordon was the two times doubles Greek open Association Croquet Champion in 2021 and 2023.

Mrs Mills took pride in her garden — which included space for their small herd of red deer and an outdoor pizza oven, which was used to entertain their friends and family.

Frequent trips to St Gervais gave the couple many weeks of skiing and alpine walks.

Gordon leaves a son and daughter, Sophia and Patrick, and was a proud Opa to his granddaughter Lyra. Helen leaves a son, also named Patrick, daughter Charlotte and grandchildren Nelly and Lennox.