LOCALS have paid tribute to a "remarkable" man of the Forest Maurice Bent, who passed away this week.

Maurice was well-known locally as an author, Queen’s Verderer and primary campaigner in the successful efforts to save the Forest from privatisation and retain the Dilke Memorial Hospital.

Born in Ruardean, he initially trained as a carpenter at Northern United Colliery, before, as keen church organist, he became known internationally as an organ restorer, with his work taking him as far afield as the Caribbean.

As well as playing a key role in local campaigns to save the Dilke and keep the Forest in public ownership, he was a leading supporter of the restoration of the Wilderness Teaching Centre at Mitcheldean, and was instrumental in raising thousands of pounds for the ’Hope for Tomorrow’ campaign to bring mobile chemotherapy treatment into the Forest, including the donation of a support car by the Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean during his presidential year.

Freeminer and Queen’s Verderer Maurice authored a number of books on the mining, musical and social history of the Forest during his lifetime, including The Highest Point in the Dean, The Last Deep Mine of Dean and The Musical Traditions of the Dean.

As an active churchman, he was a deacon and one-time president of the Gloucester Sunday School Union.

He was also president and founder of the Herbert Howells Society, which commemorates the life of the Lydney-born composer by funding young musicians to take part in competitions.

He also founded The Royal Forest of Dean Organ Society.

Maurice has been described by those who knew him as a "most remarkable man, who many will be proud to have known".

A statement from the Forest Rotary Club said: "’Awd Butty’ RIP.

"Maurice was a carpenter by trade apprenticed at Northern United Colliery he became an accomplished organ player and renovated organs as a pastime (he even travelled to the Caribbean to do renovations). A very clever man.

"He was a true ’Old Butty’.

"He campaigned to protect the Forest from privatisation, save our Hospitals, you name it he was there."

Maurice is survived by his wife Doreen, and children Martin and Kay.

LOCALS have paid tribute to a "remarkable" man of the Forest Maurice Bent, who passed away this week.

Maurice was well-known locally as an author, Queen’s Verderer and primary campaigner in the successful efforts to save the Forest from privatisation and retain the Dilke Memorial Hospital.

Born in Ruardean, he initially trained as a carpenter at Northern United Colliery, before, as keen church organist, he became known internationally as an organ restorer, with his work taking him as far afield as the Caribbean.

As well as playing a key role in local campaigns to save the Dilke and keep the Forest in public ownership, he was a leading supporter of the restoration of the Wilderness Teaching Centre at Mitcheldean, and was instrumental in raising thousands of pounds for the ’Hope for Tomorrow’ campaign to bring mobile chemotherapy treatment into the Forest, including the donation of a support car by the Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean during his presidential year.

Freeminer and Queen’s Verderer Maurice authored a number of books on the mining, musical and social history of the Forest during his lifetime, including The Highest Point in the Dean, The Last Deep Mine of Dean and The Musical Traditions of the Dean.

As an active churchman, he was a deacon and one-time president of the Gloucester Sunday School Union.

He was also president and founder of the Herbert Howells Society, which commemorates the life of the Lydney-born composer by funding young musicians to take part in competitions.

He also founded The Royal Forest of Dean Organ Society.

Maurice has been described by those who knew him as a "most remarkable man, who many will be proud to have known".

A statement from the Forest Rotary Club said: "’Awd Butty’ RIP.

"Maurice was a carpenter by trade apprenticed at Northern United Colliery he became an accomplished organ player and renovated organs as a pastime (he even travelled to the Caribbean to do renovations). A very clever man.

"He was a true ’Old Butty’.

"He campaigned to protect the Forest from privatisation, save our Hospitals, you name it he was there."

Maurice is survived by his wife Doreen, and children Martin and Kay.

LOCALS have paid tribute to a "remarkable" man of the Forest Maurice Bent, who passed away this week.

Maurice was well-known locally as an author, Queen’s Verderer and primary campaigner in the successful efforts to save the Forest from privatisation and retain the Dilke Memorial Hospital.

Born in Ruardean, he initially trained as a carpenter at Northern United Colliery, before, as keen church organist, he became known internationally as an organ restorer, with his work taking him as far afield as the Caribbean.

As well as playing a key role in local campaigns to save the Dilke and keep the Forest in public ownership, he was a leading supporter of the restoration of the Wilderness Teaching Centre at Mitcheldean, and was instrumental in raising thousands of pounds for the ’Hope for Tomorrow’ campaign to bring mobile chemotherapy treatment into the Forest, including the donation of a support car by the Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean during his presidential year.

Freeminer and Queen’s Verderer Maurice authored a number of books on the mining, musical and social history of the Forest during his lifetime, including The Highest Point in the Dean, The Last Deep Mine of Dean and The Musical Traditions of the Dean.

As an active churchman, he was a deacon and one-time president of the Gloucester Sunday School Union.

He was also president and founder of the Herbert Howells Society, which commemorates the life of the Lydney-born composer by funding young musicians to take part in competitions.

He also founded The Royal Forest of Dean Organ Society.

Maurice has been described by those who knew him as a "most remarkable man, who many will be proud to have known".

A statement from the Forest Rotary Club said: "’Awd Butty’ RIP.

"Maurice was a carpenter by trade apprenticed at Northern United Colliery he became an accomplished organ player and renovated organs as a pastime (he even travelled to the Caribbean to do renovations). A very clever man.

"He was a true ’Old Butty’.

"He campaigned to protect the Forest from privatisation, save our Hospitals, you name it he was there."

Maurice is survived by his wife Doreen, and children Martin and Kay.