A “friend of Sturminster Newton” is being remembered by people mourning the loss of Cllr Len Goldbart.

Mr Goldbart, 80, died in hospital on January 15 after a long battle with lung cancer, leaving a wife, two children, and two grandchildren.

The retired tailor had served on the town council since 2003, where he was the chairman of the finance and personnel committee.

Jillian Goldbart, the late councillor’s second wife, described her husband as a skilled man with a passion for Sturminster Newton and its people.

“He cared passionately about Sturminster Newton and the people in it. He had a great passion for the Exchange and for SturQuest.

“He was a people person who liked to be involved in moving things forward. He respected the people of Sturminster Newton so much that he wanted to be involved in what they were doing.”

Council chairman Victor Fox said the loss of Mr Goldbart would be felt by a host of organisations in Sturminster Newton.

“He was a good friend to me and a good friend to Sturminster Newton. He made a huge contribution to the town council, but was also heavily involved with the Exchange arts centre project and with promoting the Dorset Credit Union,” said Cllr Fox.

Mr Goldbart had been a key player in setting up the Exchange in 2007 and had later worked as a volunteer at the centre. Manager, Robin Savill, said: “He will be missed greatly, not just for his work at the centre, but because he was a lovely man to have around.

“He didn’t beat around the bush. He told things as they are, and you always knew where you stood with him, which was refreshing,” said Mr Savill.

A funeral service for Mr Goldbart was held at Salisbury Crematorium earlier this month.

David Milsted spoke at the service on behalf of the Blackmore Vale Branch of the First Dorset Credit Union, and told mourners of Mr Goldbart’s “pioneering work” for the union.

“I know it gave Len immense pleasure to know that we had established service points in Gillingham and Shaftesbury and that we are well on the way to opening in Blandford, and his own town of Sturminster.”

Donations to Marie Curie Cancer Care can be made in Mr Goldbart’s memory via Bracher Brothers, funeral directors of Gillingham.