A social club has been fined £10,000 after a much-loved handyman fell to his death while changing flowers in hanging baskets.

Kind and popular Eric Town, from Westgate, had been married to his childhood sweetheart Irene for 52 years before the fatal slip last year.

Speaking to KentOnline this week, Irene described him as a “great dad and a wonderful husband” who is now dearly missed by his family.

Details of the devastating accident at Westgate United Services Club were laid bare at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The court heard club bosses had failed to provide the 74-year-old with correct health and safety training.

Magistrates were told how in May last year, Mr Town ascended to the roof via the building’s internal staircase to turn off the valve for the hanging baskets’ automatic watering system.

But instead of coming down the same way, the father-of-one lowered a ladder from the rooftop and, as he tried stepping onto the top rung, lost his footing.

Mr Town, a club member of 20 years, tragically fell roughly three metres onto concrete with disastrous consequences, the court heard.

He was airlifted from St Mildred’s Road to Kings College Hospital in London but doctors were unable to save him.

The tragedy prompted health and safety inspectors from Thanet District Council to investigate the accident which, following its conclusion, would see the local authority secure a prosecution.

Subsequently, representatives on behalf of the company admitted at the first opportunity to a breach of health and safety violations contributing to Mr Town’s death under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Prosecutor Colin Witcher told Folkestone Magistrates’ Court that the firm failed to provide Mr Town with adequate training and supervision.

“There was no evidence that Mr Town had been given any training or guidance, or that there was any process or safe system of work reduced to writing or explained to him,” said Mr Witcher.

“The risk assessment undertaken by the defendant was plainly deficient.”

But James Leonard, mitigating, argued Mr Town's actions were “not foreseeable”.

“Mr Town decided to store a ladder on the roof and tried to lower a ladder down from above,” he said.

“It is quite an extraordinary thing to contemplate doing with any rational basis.

“I’m not here to speak ill of a man who was a great friend of the club, and I’m not here to pretend that we’re not guilty, but the key fact remains that it wasn’t foreseeable.”

The club representatives were allowed to sit in the public gallery for the majority of the hearing. However, the judge asked them to come forward to the dock before sentence was handed down.

District Judge Justin Barron told club representatives Ms Goddard, 59, and club chairman Stephen Thorp, 63, that insufficient health and safety systems had been in place.

But he voiced sympathy for the loss of Mr Town, who was an asset to the club.

“I know that when you have a membership of a few hundred people, it feels more like a family and that when something like this happened it has an impact on you,” the judge explained.

“In reality, health and safety legislation can often be seen as a burden because it does impose a lot of duties – but the reason for those duties is to minimise risk.

“Employees will do dangerous things, because they’re short of time, because they’ve forgotten their training.

“So that’s why these rules and procedures exist, and even though you may be a small club, those rules still apply to you equally.

“There has to be written guidance, but also training and enforcement. In this case, you had health and safety systems in place but they were not sufficient.”

Westgate United Services Club was ordered to pay a £10,000 fine by January 1, 2024, and costs of £18,335 within 28 days.

“We miss him terribly. I miss him for all reasons – it really hurts...”

The club’s secretary Tracy Goddard told the court in a statement: “This club and its membership remain deeply shocked over the tragic loss of a man who was both a member of the club and a great friend to its officers.

“The club is and has always been run by decent people who are always trying to do the right thing by its members.”

Speaking to KentOnline on Wednesday, Mr Town’s wife Irene told of her pain after losing her childhood sweetheart.

Paying tribute to the dedicated family man, she said: “We were married for 52 years. He was a great dad and a wonderful husband.

“I’d known him since I was 16. I went out with him on my 17th birthday. We miss him greatly.

“Everyone knew him in the club. His funeral was packed – people couldn’t get in because there were so many people.

“If any of the neighbours needed help with any odd job he would always go over there and help them.

“He loved his little dog. He sat every evening with the dog on his lap.

“We miss him terribly. I miss him for all reasons – it really hurts.”

His son Matthew Town added: “He loved to fish. We loved to watch football and used to watch West Ham and England together. “

Messages of condolences poured into the Westgate United Services Club in the days following Mr Town’s death.

Speaking at the time, a club spokesman said: "Eric was a much-loved member of our club and a valued employee for many years.

"He will be sadly missed by all. Our hearts are with his family and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy at this difficult time."

The Westcliff Cup Final football match between AFC Westgate United Services Club Veterans and Whitstable on May 28 last year was won by the services club.

The win was dedicated in memory of Mr Town.