by Nicola Jordan

Much-loved Medway publican Nick Tunstill was never likely to leave this world quietly.

As a congregation stood in momentary silence, they suddenly heard the sound of his beloved motorbike roar into life and accelerate into the distance to the strains of Buddy Holly singing Not Fade Away.

Nick, who spent all his working life behind the bars of pubs and clubs across the Medway Towns, had meticulously planned his own send-off after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

And he made sure it was one to remember for the friends and family that crammed into Bobbing’s Garden of England crematorium on Friday.

Floral displays included some of Nick's catchphrases

After the ceremony attended by licensees and biking friends who travelled from all over the country to join his many friends and family, guests were invited to Rochester Cathedral to light candles in his memory.

Born and bred in Rochester, Nick’s sparkling personality bought a unique atmosphere to a long list of hostelries over more than 40 years.

Among those were Strood and Frindsbury Working Men’s Club, the Horseshoe and Castle in Cooling, Brompton Conservative Club and Borstal Officers’ Club. But he was perhaps best known for the years he spent at The Crown, near Rochester Bridge, which he renamed the Norman Conquest.

His final pub was the Cooper’s Arms in St Margaret’s Street - a job he was embarking on when illness struck.

Full tribute and more pictures in the Medway Messenger this Friday.