A special service is being held to celebrate the life of one of the county’s most influential figures.

John Spence - a devoted public civil servant, passionate agriculturalist and committed heritage campaigner - leaves behind a remarkable legacy over seven decades.

The former Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, county councillor and Gillingham borough councillor died earlier this year at the age of 88.

The Remembrance Evensong at 5.30pm next Friday (May 16) at Rochester Cathedral will be followed by a reception where senior dignitaries will be sharing their tributes to Mr Spence.

Mr Spence dedicated his life to many corners of the county, including Medway NHS Trust, Rochester Bridge Trust, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and Rochester Cathedral.

As chairman of the hospital foundation, he oversaw the £60 million expansion of Medway Maritime Hospital, formerly known as Medway Hospital, in 1999.

The hospital in Gillingham merged the services previously provided by the now defunct St Bartholomew’s in Rochester and All Saints’ in Chatham and the change of name reflected the Towns’ naval heritage.

Mr Spence became a trustee of the Rochester Bridge Trust in the early 1990s and went on to serve for 30 years, including as Senior Warden.

Deeply respected by fellow trustees, he brought particular expertise and care to the Trust’s agricultural estate, taking a keen interest in the work of farming tenants.

Tim Cathcart, chief estates officer at the Trust, said: “John was a valued member of the Court, providing important insight into a range of activities and taking a special interest in the Trust’s agricultural properties.

“When the Trust established an agricultural scholarship, it was named the Spence Agricultural Scholarship in recognition of his lifelong interest in the agricultural sector.”

Launched in 2018, the Spence Agricultural Scholarship supports students studying agriculture at university, particularly those from non-farming backgrounds.

It honours Mr Spence’s own journey – his passion for farming began as a child and led to early recognition in pig husbandry while still a teenager.

Beyond his work in agriculture and infrastructure, Mr Spence was a key figure in preserving Kent’s maritime heritage.

The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust paid tribute to him as one of its founding trustees, whose relationship with the Dockyard stretched over 70 years.

Beginning as an employee in his youth, Mr Spence played a pivotal role in the Dockyard’s survival and development after its closure as a naval base.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “John’s remarkable dedication to the Historic Dockyard spanned over 70 years.

“Although he resigned from the Board of Trustees in 2017, he remained actively involved with the Trust, continuing to advocate passionately for the Dockyard.

“He was instrumental in helping secure government recognition when the Trust was established in 1984 and championed the Dockyard’s transformation into the vibrant, maritime heritage destination it is today.”

Known for his unwavering commitment to the institutions he served, Mr Spence was also involved with Rochester Cathedral, where he was a familiar face at civic and church events.

His tireless work across multiple sectors was formally recognised when he was awarded the OBE and later appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent – honours that reflected not only his influence but also the high regard in which he was held by peers.

Mr Spence lived much of his life in Wigmore, Gillingham, with his late wife Patricia, who died in 2015.

While the couple did not have any children, they took a keen interest in the extended family of John’s brother and sister and his nephew and nieces.

In 2018, he moved to Northiam in East Sussex to be closer to his sister’s family.

He passed away suddenly on January 26.