FARMER and former Mayor of Ashford, Peter Boulden, has died at his home in the village of Aldington, near Ashford. He was 86.

Mr Boulden born in Aldington and attended the local primary school and the South Central in Ashford. But he always had a thirst for global knowledge.

When war broke out in 1939 he was in Rhodesia studying farming methods in Africa. In 1955 he was awarded a coveted six-month Nuffield scholarship for a study tour of America.

He was a former chairman of Ashford National Farmers Union, was President of Ashford Cattle Show in 1982 and spent spells on the board of directors of Kent Wool Growers and Romney Marsh Viners.

His greatest passion were his Romney sheep, on which he was an acknowledged world expert.

Less highly publicised were his wartime roles. Many knew he was a member of the Home Guard but less were aware that he had been trained by commandos as a local leader in the Secret Army trained to disrupt the enemy if the Germans had invaded Kent.

As Lord of the Level of Aldington – a title he inherited from his grandfather – he was both fascinated and fiercely defensive of the protection on Romney Marsh.

For many years he was also a Churchwarden at St Martin’s Parish Church, chairman of the parish council and represented the village on East Ashford rural district council on which he also served as chairman.

After local government re-organisation in 1973 he was elected as a founder of the expanded Ashford council and served with distinction until 1991 including having the honour of being elected the first-ever Mayor when borough council status was achieved in 1974.

After that term in office he was council leader from 1982-85 before a second term as Mayor in 1986-87. He was proud of many projects he helped bring to the district but none more so than the Julie Rose Stadium.

He was also for many years chairman of the Board of Visitors to Aldington Prison and a staunch supporter of charity work as a member of both Hythe and Ashford Masonic Lodges.

It was almost a year ago that his wife Laure died and since then he has been bravely fighting illness.

He leaves a son Martin and daughters Virginia, Christine and Yvonne.

The funeral service will be held at St Martin’s Church, Aldington, at 2pm on Monday, November 7.