TRIBUTES have been paid to Alton’s Paul Le Feuvre - the voice of community radio who died on April 29 after a long illness.

An ardent amateur radio enthusiast, his call sign, GODBS, falling silent, with the message 73 - God bless, goodbye.

Paul’s departure at the age of 76 marks the end of an era for the local airwaves - marked on May 29 when friends and family packed into The Park Crematorium at Aldershot to bid him ‘au revoir’. A poignant poem, written and read by Hospital Radio Basingstoke colleague Christine Rowley captured the essence of the man as the “voice and heart of community radio” and the congregation left with the sound of The Ovaltinees ringing in their ears - Paul’s final farewell.

Always upbeat, Paul’s ‘can do’ attitude and cheery encouragement made him a household name for many who enjoyed listening and contributing to his programmes on local and hospital radio, and welcoming him as, dressed for the occasion, he brought the joy of music and banter out into the community. Whether at outdoor events such as the Last Night of the Proms, Alton Lions’ Party in the Park or Froyle fete, everyone recognised not only the voice but the face behind the microphone.

A man of so many interests, it was through this medium that he was able to reach out to so many people who he came to know as friends - from Hilda in the phone box, who called in every week to request a tune, to the young people of Amery Hill School, where he spent so many happy and productive years giving time and energy to far exceed his role as an audio-visual technician.

Paul was also a traveller, with strong connections to southern France and a curiosity and interest in people that knew no borders. He had broadcast from such far flung places as Italy, Switzerland, Monaco and even Canada, and through amateur radio had friends in every corner of the globe, taking great pleasure, with fellow members of the Three Counties Amateur Radio Club, in sharing this passion and skill with the 2nd Alton Brownies after he set up ‘Thinking Day on Air’.

Born in Guildford in August 1942, while the Le Feuvre family originated from the Channel Island of Sark, Paul grew up in the Pirbright area and began his working life selling records from a market stall in Surbiton, going on to join a small electronics firm and graduating to Surrey County Council’s language department as an audio-visual technician. It was at this time that he met Liz, his life -ong partner and “rock”, a state-registered nurse from France who had trained at Guildford, and went on to train in midwifery.

The couple moved to Lindford, near Bordon, where in 1970 their son, Jean-Mark, was born, and they lived there as a family for 17 years before moving to Alton. Liz worked at Alton General Hospital before moving to the Mary Rose ward at Treloar Hospital where, in 1976, Paul joined the team at Treloar Hospital Radio and became a key player, presenting and fundraising, doing outdoor broadcasts, and providing a colourful presence each year at the Lions Carnival procession.

According to friend and fellow presenter Caroline Dee, he really enjoyed going onto the wards and collecting requests for his Sunday request show.

“Paul was a popular figure and would make each patient feel special,” she said. “He liked the challenge of finding the really obscure requests!”

Paul also resurrected his Channel Island connection as many of the patients came from the islands and had no visitors.

He took early retirement from Surrey County Council but still had more to give so joined Amery Hill School as an audio-visual technician, where he worked until retiring.

In 1995, Treloar Hospital closed down with the loss of the hospital radio. Paul poured his heart and soul into Wey Valley Radio, which was launched in November 1992 and led by David Way and which allowed him to broadcast his popular Sunday Night Request Show to a wider audience. He stayed with the station when it was taken over by the Tindle Group and became Delta Radio, moving first to Haslemere and then Bordon, before being sold in 2010.

During that time Paul became involved in Hospital Radio Basingstoke promoting the station around the Alton area. In 2013, he was nominated by Christine Rowley to appear on ITV’s Surprise Surprise show, hosted by Holly Willoughby, who presented him with a celebration of volunteering award from Basingstoke Voluntary Action in recognition of more than 50 years dedicated service to community and hospital radio.

When the idea was muted to return Wey Valley Radio to the airwaves in July 2017, despite his failing health, Paul was up there leading the way.

Mr Way said: “Paul was always committed to the idea of a community station and has supported and contributed so much in the last 30 years to local and hospital radio. He was always looking out for people and encouraging and helping others. People who have know him just a short time and for many years miss him so much, he was unique and will always be in our memories.”

* A tea party for friends to celebrate Paul’s life will be held at Alton Catholic Church Hall on Sunday, July 15, from 2pm-4pm.