A great grandfather passed away peacefully aged 95 surrounded by the family who were his life’s passion.

As goodbyes were said to Alan Hastings Kenyon at Castle View Care Home in Poundbury, he was told that he ‘certainly left behind ‘footprints on the sands of time’.

Alan was an only child and revelled in knowing that he and his late wife Margery would leave a legacy of four children, nine grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren who all will miss him greatly.

Alan was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, on May 6, 1925.

After training as a glider navigator in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, he moved to Lancashire where he met his future wife, the late Margery Patricia Banks.

He danced with ‘the girl in the pink dress’, winning the top prize that gave them two tickets to the next week’s dance - and ultimately 68 years of their happy marriage.

During his career in town and county planning, Alan earned the qualification of Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), became a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, and was awarded the honour of becoming a Life Vice President, Dorset CPRE.

Dorset Echo:

Alan in Paris in 1985

Before moving to Dorset, Alan worked for the County Councils of Sheffield, Warwickshire and Suffolk (Regional Planning Officer).

In Suffolk, his most notable contributions were his involvement in the 1961 restoration of Pakenham windmill and the preservation of the Sutton Hoo Viking site in Sutton, near Woodbridge.

In 1968, Alan moved with his family to Dorchester and was Assistant County Planning Officer for 14 years during which time he represented the County Council on Dorset CPRE’s Executive Committee for about 10 years.

After his retirement in 1982, Alan was invited to join in his own right and in 1984, he was appointed Chairman. He worked hard to use his experience and influence to minimise the environmental impact of the Wytch Farm oil wells in Purbeck in the heart of Hardy’s Wessex.

For this he was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Silver Jubilee Award.

Alan served on the board of school governors for Hardye’s Boys School in Dorchester and was an active member of a number of organisations, such as Dorchester Probus.

Both he and Margery were faithful members of St. Andrew’s Church in West Stafford and St. George’s Church in Fordington.

Dorset Echo:

Alan and Margery in their beloved garden

Alan and Margery lived happily in Dorchester throughout their long retirement years taking up lawn bowling and other pursuits.

Dorset Echo:

Alan and Margery enjoying the Olympic torch relay near Poole in 2012

They lived in Manor Road and then Augustan Close, with Margery passing away in 2016 and Alan moving to Castle View Care Home in January 2018.

Most of all they loved to travel with their caravan. For more than 30 years they took it on annual trips to France and other continental locations and retreated to the New Forest with it at the drop of a hat.

Occasionally, they would travel to North America to visit family but mostly their travels were in Europe.

Alan used his travels to rekindle his childhood passion for painting and produced a collection of pen and ink sketches, oil paintings and watercolours, often of landscapes and landmarks.

At home, Alan loved spending time in the garden to which he also brought his artistic eye. These and his other many interests inspired his children and grandchildren to garden and travel, to respect and love nature and to take up artistic pursuits.

Dorset Echo:

Alan enjoying the company of five of his grandchildren in 1985

And it was these grandchildren and their children who he loved to spend time with; playing, listening, advising. Alan and Margery’s four children are: Pat Sherwood-Taylor (married to Joe), Mo Constantine (married to Mark), Jane Kenyon, and Gus Kenyon (married to Isobel). The couple were devoted grandparents to nine grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren who all will miss him greatly.

Alan passed away peacefully on September 15, 2020. His family were able to say their goodbyes and tell him he certainly left behind “footprints on the sands of time”.

Due to current restrictions, the family will hold a private funeral.

If wished, donations in Alan’s memory can be given for Julia’s House, Dorset and may be c/o Grassby Funeral Service, 8 Princes St, Dorchester DT1 1TW or donations can be given online by visiting the donations page on www.grassby-funeral.co.uk

If you would have lost a loved one and would like us to feature their life story in a loving obituary article, find our obituaries form here or email joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk for more information.