Roger was involved in so many activities that most people knew him and warmed to his down-to-earth, practical and friendly nature.

He enjoyed people and was intent to help them, steering ways between their conflicting interests with good humour and minimal rancour. He worked tirelessly to maintain the quality of life of all residents in the community which he so cherished.

He was as much for change as against it; but, conservative by nature, he favoured caution rather than haste. He believed in protecting the best features of the village and was at his most forceful when he felt it to be under potential threat.

He could also be roused by petty bureaucracy and political correctness, particularly in local government and education. Born near Wigan, as a lad Roger moved to North Lan-cashire with his parents, and lived at Capernwray since 1975.

He sat on Over Kellet Parish Council for 20 years and had been its Chair since 2002, throughout which he brought extensive knowledge of the village and past events to the council's discussions. Roger's work for the village was, however, much wider than his parish council responsibilities.

He was a school governor, trustee of the Wither's Charity, area co-ordinator for Neigh-bourhood Watch, vice-chair of the Horticultural Society and he has been on St Cuthbert's Parochial Council as well as acting as sidesman.

In all these roles he was no mere figurehead. You would always expect to see him out front at most events. He was a signee of the charter of the Kellets Twinning Association, a founder member of Neigh-bourhood Watch in the village, and one of the initiators and members of the board of management for the Over Kellet View. All this he did after a full day's work for Willman Farm Supplies.

Roger leaves a devoted family. wife Val and grown-up children Robert and Rachel. They attended the village school, where Roger became a governor, and Ripley St Thomas School where Val now teaches.