TRIBUTES have been paid to a community stalwart who has died following a fall at his Alresford home.

David Goodman, who had been suffering from prostate and bone cancer, died at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital on Thursday, January 21.

The 75-year-old former engineer was a key member of Alresford’s community, volunteering his time to many different groups. Among them were the Alresford Society, Sun Hill Infant School, where he was a governor, Hinton Ampner Gardens and the Alresford and District Partnership.

“He is a tremendous loss to Alresford,” said New Alresford Town Council member, Ken Yeldham. “He put his heart and soul into keeping Alresford running.”

He also played a key role in the restoration of the Eel House and maintaining the town’s tourist path, The Millennium Trail.

Dr Nigel Paterson, chairman of the Alresford and District Partnership, said: “Many of us have been deeply impressed by all that David Goodman has done for our community and this makes us mourn his death all the more.”

“He was very strong and energetic, extremely practical and very hands-on,” said Peter Pooley, chairman of The Alresford Society.

He added that his former colleague had fallen at his Arlebury Barns home and later collapsed, never regaining consciousness.

Grahame Short, coroner for central Hampshire, opened and adjourned an inquest into his death. The possible cause was recorded as a traumatic brain injury.

A memorial service will be held at St John’s Church, Alresford, tomorrow (Friday), at 4pm.