THE village of Newton St Cyres is mourning the loss of one of its most loved residents with the passing of Sir John Quicke in November 2009.

Sir John's family had lived in the Newton St Cyres area since 1540 and had developed their farming and forestry enterprise to the benefit of the area and surrounding countryside.

Sir John received the CBE when he was President of the Country Landowners Association from 1977-79 and was knighted for services to agriculture.

At his home at Sherwood he developed the national collection of magnolias, Knaphill azaleas and berberis and opened his garden to raise money for charities every Sunday afternoon.

Sir John was a member of Newton St Cyres Parish Council in the 1970s so the present parish councillors have agreed that they would wish to mark Sir John's life with a permanent memorial and have suggested placing a seat in his memory in the Arboretum.

This seemed to be a fitting location for the seat as Sir John was instrumental in founding and planting the Arboretum and currently a small group of enthusiasts are working to tidy the area and open it once more for people to enjoy.

Residents of Newton St Cyres are invited to contribute towards this memorial to an outstanding gentleman by either leaving a donation in the special box in Newton St Cyres Post Office by kind permission of Richard and Liz, or by post to David Baker, chairman of Newton St Cyres Parish Council, The Sidings, Three Horse Shoes, Cowley, Exeter, EX5 5EU.

The Parish Council are also inviting residents to make any other suggestions for a suitable memorial to Sir John.

There will be a Memorial Thanksgiving Service for the life of Sir John Quicke CBE, DL, at noon on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at The Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton.

The service will be followed by refreshments at the Boniface Centre.