Obituaries

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former New Forest District Council chair who has died age 84.

TRIBUTES have been paid to yacht designer and hospital radio co-founder Barry van Geffen from Lymington, who has died aged 67.

A FORMER Hythe chief police inspector, who lived in the area for more than 50 years, has died aged 95.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Pennington man who captured the social history of the area through his passion for film.

WELL-KNOWN commoner and New Forest point-to-point champion Eric Dovey has died at the age of 70.

A PASSIONATE cricketer who was a member of his local club for more than 60 years has died aged 75.

TONY Locke, who has died at the age of 79, will be remembered as a passionate environmentalist who led the transformation of many community spaces.

A FORMER teacher and adult education advisor for Hampshire, who contributed to the work of New Forest charities, has died aged 85.

WELL-KNOWN Lymington dentist Michael Thoyts who ran his own practice in the town for 20 years has died aged 91.

A LYMINGTON hospital nurse died at the age of 58 just days before she was due to receive an NHS award for 40 years of devoted service.

NICOLE Webb, who taught at the Arnewood School in New Milton and Brockenhurst College, has died aged 79 after a long period of ill health.

RETIRED chartered surveyor and longstanding former New Milton town councillor Thomas Merifield has died at the age of 95.

REMEMBERED as one of life’s “genuinely lovely people”, former A&T commercial development manager Alison Thomas has died days after her 48th birthday.

TRIBUTES have been paid to Peter Bassett, who was the first ever chief executive of New Forest District Council, after his death aged 86.

TRICIA Benge, who has died at the age of 74, will be remembered for her tireless work to champion the rights of vulnerable children.

WELL known New Forest youth football manager and former teacher Phil Bevan has died at the age of 83.

A POPULAR children's entertainer who entertained thousands over the years with his puppet and magic shows has died aged 85.

A MUSIC trust has been set up in memory of a popular former organist and master of the choir at Christchurch Priory after his sudden death at 62.

KNOWN for his cheeky banter and amazing horticultural knowledge, long-standing Lymington market trader George Davie has died at the age of 70.

TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of Pauline Ludlow, the founder of a campaign group to protect the rights of local dog owners.