Memorials are being created for a man who devoted 53 years to making his community a better place.
John Edwards who died aged 80 last year was the driving force behind a £2.5 million extension of the 1843-built St Nicholas Primary School at Hurst.
And he led the way for three new almshouses in Hinton Road, Hurst, helping people who cannot afford the high cost of buying or renting locally.
The homes, completed in 2019 for Hurst Consolidated Charity, were named the Richard Bigg Almshouses after the charity’s 17th century benefactor.
But later this year they’ll be renamed the John Edwards Almshouses to recognise John’s dedication ensuring the new homes were built.
His hard work also meant the village hall was enlarged. He was chairman for 25 years of Hurst Horse Show, now Hurst Show and Country Fayre and still raising funds for the school and other good causes.
Recently John’s family and friends went to the village community orchard opposite St Nicholas church to see a plaque installed beneath an oak tree provided by Hurst Parish Council.
The plaque reads: “This oak tree is planted in memory of John Edwards who devoted 53 years of time and effort into making Hurst a better place for all.”
His widow Pat said the oak tree reflected John better than a new bench. A keen defender of wildlife, John spoke at a planning appeal into 200 homes on a Hurst field of the “irreplaceable harm to Hurst’s wildlife” the plan would cause. The scheme was rejected.
Pat added: “I’m very touched by what the parish council and the almshouses committee have done to remember John.”
