Tributes paid to Alan Farnaby (From Gazette & Herald)

Tributes paid to Alan Farnaby

ONE of Ryedale's best-known and liked figures, Alan Farnaby, has died.

Coun Farnaby had been clerk to Sheriff Hutton parish council for some 40 years and was a stalwart of village life, particularly its village hall, parish church and Methodist church.

He had been a district councillor since 1991 and was chairman of Ryedale District Council (RDC) in 1996-7. He served on the executive of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council and the York and North Yorkshire Playing Fields Association for many years.

RDC chairman Brian Cottam said: "Alan was a well-respected councillor and one of life's real gentlemen.

"I always regarded him as much as a friend as a council colleague.

"He was always ready to help his colleagues. Ryedale has much to be grateful to Alan for and he will be greatly missed. Naturally we send our deepest sympathy to his wife Jean and their family."

Sue Redfern, assistant chief executive of RDC, said: "We were most saddened and upset to hear the news of the death of Coun Farnaby.

"He was a true gentleman and always had time and a kind word for everyone. His dedication to the communities of Ryedale was totally unwavering.

"Our sympathies go out to his family."

The Conservative group leader at RDC, Coun Keith Knaggs, said the death of Coun Farnaby will leave a gap that can't be filled.

"Alan and I came on to the district council at the same time," said Coun Knaggs. "We worked closely together on the successful campaign against a new settlement at Sand Hutton/Flaxton. He was respected by all for the breadth and depth of his involvement in community activities, not just at Sheriff Hutton but throughout Ryedale; and his involvement with the Citizen's Advice Bureau was as important as his council role.

"He will be greatly missed as someone who 'did' community leadership, not just talked about it. The thoughts of myself and the Conservative group at Ryedale are with his family and friends."

Elizabeth Shields was one of three district councillors who divided Coun Farnaby's work between them when he fell ill, the others being Robert Wainwright and Allin Jenkins. Coun Shields said: "Alan was loved and respected by all members of the council and staff at Ryedale House. A thoroughly good man, he will be missed by us all."

Robin Wardell, a former district councillor and friend of Mr Farnaby, said: "We are all rallying round at the moment and doing what we can for the family."

One particular source of pride for Coun Farnaby was the monthly publishing of Sheriff Hutton News, which he produced with Eric Hayhurst, and which was regarded as one of the most successful community magazines in Yorkshire. The two had started it 33 years ago.

A funeral service for Coun Farnaby, who died on Sunday, aged 69, will be held at Sheriff Hutton Methodist Church for family and friends on Friday, at 2pm, to be followed by interment in the churchyard of St Helen and the Holy Cross. Family flowers only, please.

On July 12, at 2pm, a service of thanksgiving will be held to celebrate his life, at the Church of St Helen and the Holy Cross.

Updated: 10:03 Wednesday, July 02, 2003