One of the key figures in the Kent agricultural scene over many decades has died.

John Jennings' first love was farming. He was chairman of the Kent branch of the National Farmers Union during the 1980s.

He helped successfully to promote the Kent County Show, working his way up from cattle steward to vice chairman and chairman during the 1990s and director of the Exhibition Centre.

He also exhibited his own cattle there for 40 years and won the supreme championship so often the society gave him the cup.

Mr Jennings was appointed a JP and also served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, accompanying royalty on official visits to the county.

He was interested in prisoner welfare and served on the Independent Monitoring Board at Swaleside and Stamford Hill prisons, a challenge that gave him a great sense of achievement.

He was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours of 2003, for services to agricultural and the community in Kent.

More recently he was a supporter of the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men, organising their trips until he was well into his 80s.

He was also a volunteer hospital driver.

As a child, he was an accomplished singer, gaining a place at Winchester Cathedral, but any singing career was sadly cut short by the outbreak of war.

He was married to June for 60 years. He leaves four children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He died on Saturday, November 14, after a short illness. Because of Covid restrictions, a restricted private funeral has already been held. His family intend to hold a public service of thanksgiving for his life when the regulations permit.

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