HAVING organised Whitehill and Bordon’s annual service of remembrance since its inception, Steve Johnson stood down last week.

Whitehill Town Council took the reins on Monday, when members thanked Mr Johnson for the instrumental role he had played in delivering the service and the war memorial itself. In 1997, when chairing a Royal British Legion meeting, Mr Johnson proposed that a war memorial be built in Bordon. A location had to be found, planning permission sought and a fundraising effort was set in motion.

The project, which cost £13,700, also saw the founding of the Whitehill Bordon War Memorial Association, which became a charity in 2001.

In 2003, the town’s memorial was unveiled.

Town councillors agreed unanimously to organise the service. To show their gratitude, they presented Mr Johnson with a magnifying glass to view his military photos.

“The town council and, I’m sure, all members of the community are very grateful for the work you’ve done,” said Whitehill mayor Colin Leach.