THE bells tolled to bring home Bill Deedes to the church of St Martin's, Aldington, for his funeral on Wednesday.

Family and friends gathered to say their fond farewells to a veteran of the community that they all held in the utmost respect.

As Lord Deedes of Aldington, who died at the age of 94, the former Fleet Street editor and government minister, will be honoured at a public autumn memorial service at The Guards Chapel in London expected to be attended by hundreds.

This was the private funeral attended by those that all had their own personal memories of the man that lived in and loved their village for more than half a century.

The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev Richard Love with the Rev John Wright at the organ.

His grandson Henry Deedes read the Psalm, George Plumptre the Lesson, Drummond Money-Coutts the Reading from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and Laura Plumptre a solo hymn.

The service was followed by cremation at Charing and then tea with the family at his New Hayters home overlooking Romney Marsh where he composed his columns until the end.

His ashes are to be scattered in the rough at Littlestone Golf Course.