Tributes to Alan, who gave a great deal to village life

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a village stalwart who dedicated his time to helping the community he loved so much.

Alan Fendley, from Rothbury, lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, February 3. The 78-year-old leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Averil, as well as sons, Chris and David, and grandchildren, Jack and Anna.

As of his wishes, he will have a private family funeral. It will be held in Whitley Bay on Wednesday.

Having moved to Rothbury in 1987, Alan entered village life by joining Rothbury Parish Council in 1997, serving as chairman on three occasions during his 17-year tenure, before retiring in 2014.

He was involved in numerous projects over the years, including The John Barleycorn Festival and The Lord Armstrong Bicentennial.

Alan’s father served with distinction in the Army during the First World War and Alan followed in his father’s military footsteps by joining the RAF.

He was the former chairman of the Rothbury branch of the Royal British Legion, helping to coordinate the village’s Remembrance Day Services over many years and helped with the Poppy Appeal collection. A keen historian, Alan gave many talks on a range of subjects and was also a model-railway enthusiast.