MALCOLM Miles, a founder member and three-time president of Alresford Rotary Club, died in September while on holiday in France with his partner, Annie Teers, and friends.

The cremation took place in Angouleme on September 10 and at the same time a vigil was held at Alresford Methodist Church for neighbours and friends. A service of thanksgiving was held in St John’s Church, Alresford, on October 10.

Born in Coventry in 1936, Malcolm started his working life as a sports teacher in Nottinghamshire before moving in 1973 to take up the the post of county recreation officer for Hampshire, believing passionately in “sport for all”.

He also ensured Hampshire County Council played a vital role in the development of Royal Victoria Country Park, on the site of the former Military Hospital. It opened in 1980 as a peaceful setting for recreation and leisure, which he managed for many years.

After retirement, Malcolm worked for Hampshire Playing Fields Association, working tirelessly to protect and promote open spaces for sports and recreation.

For his efforts, he was invited to Buckingham Palace where he met Prince Philip, president of the National Playing Fields Association.

Malcolm was a huge sports enthusiast with a great passion for rugby. Over two decades he was fully involved in Hampshire rugby, managing the under-21 and under-23 county teams. A highlight for him was taking his under-21s to the county finals at Twickenham against Cornwall.

He was also chairman of London South East under-21s and went on to become vice -president of Hampshire RFU.

Well known in Alresford, Malcolm was a founder member and president of of Alresford Rotary and always on hand at the annual firework display or selling Christmas trees in Broad Street and helping with charity fundraising over the years.

A steward, latterly senior steward, at Alresford Methodist Church, Malcolm became a town trustee in 2013, going on to be deputy chairman. He was a regular face at the Thursday market in Broad Street, collecting rents and chatting to the stallholders.

After Malcolm’s wife Florence, the mother of his daughters Debbie and Louise, died in 1994, he shared the last 20 years of his life with Annie, first living in Alresford and then Cheriton.

In his later years, Malcolm loved to watch his grandchildren play sport and was proud of all their achievements.