A town is in mourning for one its most popular and flamboyant figures.

Cranbook's Phillip Mummery passed away on Thursday last week after a long a battle with cancer.

Mr Mummery was a key figure in the town and was always to be found at the heart of almost all its activities over the past several decades.

Whether it was playing Igor in the Cranbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society's Sleeping Beauty, or dressing as Viking at the town's Apple Fayre, Mr Mummery was there- often in costume.

Born in Ashford, he was educated at Ashford South Secondary School for Boys, about which he liked to tell an amusing anecdote.

Asked at the age of 15, by his form-master, one Mr Kay, what he intended to do, Mr Mummery replied "Leave, Sir", to which the master replied "Wise choice."

His first job was as a sales assistant in the Lewis and Hyland department store in Ashford. But if he was lacking in formal education, he was not lacking in ambition, and in in 1972 he took over a run-down menswear business in Folkestone.

Subsequently Phillips' Man's Shops opened in Cranbrook in 1976 an is still going strong today, run by his son, Steven.

Mr Mummery was connected to most activities in the town. He was a guide at the Union Windmill and also at St Dunstan's Church. He was governor of Cranbrook Primary School, and the High Weald Academy. He was chairman of the Cranbrook Business Association and head of the town's youth opportunities scheme.

He was instrumental in running Christmas in Cranbrook, the Cranbrook Family Fun Day, and with his friend Stuart Cleary devised and organised the town's annual Apple Fayre.

Mr Cleary said: "He was a real dynamo. He just worked harder than everyone else and so shamed people into pulling their finger out. He just had such a lot to give."

On Valentine's Day, just three days before he was admitted to a hospice, the town honoured Mr Mummery by making him their first ever Mayor.

A ceremony was held in the Vestry Hall, with the proceedings announced by the Town Crier, Andy Fairweather, and Mr Mummery was presented with a chain of office.

Mr Cleary said: "There was no better man to be our first Mayor of Cranbrook."

Mr Mummery, of The Hill, Cranbrook, died on what may have been his 77th birthday, although he was never sure. He always claimed that his parents had registered his birth twice - and given two different birth dates, both February 24 and 27.

A book of condolence has been opened in St Dunstan’s church for the townsfolk to sign.

A campaign has already started in the town to name a street after him.

A currently unnamed road near the doctor's surgery, off Carriers Road, is being suggested as ideal to become Mummery Lane.

Mr Mummery leaves his widow Val, son Steven, daughter Cathy and grandchildren Alice, Ellie and Harry.

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