Brendan Gibb-Gray, who was instrumental in establishing the Ems Valley Memorial Arboretum, sadly passed on the 26th December.

Brendan was born and educated in Hampshire and left to join the Metropolitan Police when he was 19 years old. He had a long and distinguished career in the police force, both overseas and at Scotland Yard, before returning to Emsworth in 1997, and then serving as a Councillor from 2004 - 2016.

He was a dedicated councillor and cared greatly about the local community and the residents he served, and in 2012 he was awarded the BEM for service in the community. When he finished serving he was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman on 22nd July 2016.

Brendan was also very active in helping to preserve and nurture the local environment. He was a member of the Emsworth Tree Wardens and in recent years conceived and helped establish the Ems Valley Memorial Arboretum.

He will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him.