THE work of a former Weymouth MP and social crusader was celebrated at a memorial service.

Thomas Fowell Buxton was an anti-slavery campaigner in the nineteenth century and his links to Weymouth was marked in June with the dedication of a new monument.

A memorial service is now held each year at Westminster Abbey and those attending included members of the Thomas Fowell Buxton Society from Dorset and Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Kevin Brookes.

The short service was led by the Rev David Stanton, Canon in Residence at the Abbey, assisted by the Rev James Buxton.

Floral tributes were laid by Frances Jones-Davies, the eldest daughter of the late 7th Baronet, on behalf of the family and by Cllr Brookes on behalf of the people of Weymouth.

The mayor spoke of his involvement with the Buxton Monument, now sited on Bincleaves Green in Weymouth and John Fannon, a trustee of the society, gave an address entitled, 'Thomas Fowell Buxton – a life devoted to his fellow men'.

Earlier in the afternoon, some 50 members had gathered in Victoria Tower Gardens at the Buxton Fountain, close to Westminster Abbey, for the annual picnic in the park.

Mr Fannon said: "It was remarkable just how many young descendants of the 'liberator' were there this year; a new generation learning to appreciate their personal heritage.

"This chimes with the society’s new primary schools initiative linked to the annual Fairtrade Fortnight. This has been sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will be available to local primary schools from September. It involves an online package of four lessons: ‘What is Fairtrade?’; ‘Sugar Cane’; ‘Sugar Cane and the Slave Trade’; 'Thomas Fowell Buxton and Slavery’".

Mr Fannon said next year the society will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Thomas Fowell Buxton’s election as MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis.

The Thomas Fowell Buxton Society, founded in 2010 has now almost 200 supporters around the country and overseas.

For more information about the society see www.thomasfowellbuxton.org.uk