ROTARIANS in England and France mourned the death of Alf Foster, a founder member and past president of Leominster Rotary Club, whose passing marks the end of a local business dynasty.

Two hundred people attended a memorial service at the Priory Church last Friday for the popular former agricultural merchant, shopkeeper and property owner who died after a short illness on January 22. He was 82.

A church service in his honour is to be held at La Fleche in northern France. Bonds of friendship between Rotary members in Leominster and la Fleche flourished through an exchange link launched by Alfred Foster 26 years ago.

Mr Foster learned to speak French fluently and was still attending conversation classes until two months ago.

Alfred George Foster was born at The Ridgeway, Eaton Hill, Leominster, in 1921 into one of the area's most prominent business families.

He attended Leominster Grammar School and later joined the Hereford TA where he became a sergeant and saw war service in France.

He joined the company built up by his family over several generations. Alfred's grandfather George took over a corn merchant's business owned by his wife's family, the Moyles.

George Foster & Co Ltd based at Rainbow Street, expanded under the direction of Alfred's father, also George. It employed about 50 people in its heyday when it transported animal feeds, forage and fertiliser as far as the Welsh coast.

After the firm was bought up by a bigger concern in the 1960s, Alfred ran a garden and pet supplies shop in West Street and let property to others.

Some of his tenants were among those at the memorial gathering where an old friend, the Reverend Bill Massey, retired former vicar of Kimbolton, gave the address.

Alfred who lived on the Leominster/Kimbolton parish boundary all his life - in three different dwellings - formerly worshipped at Kimbolton where his late wife Gwen was the church treasurer. In recent years Alfred was an unfailing Priory 'regular.'

Alfred Foster, a former school governor, will be best remembered as a pillar of Rotary and its work for charities. He organised community and international initiatives, an emergency box scheme, outings for old folk and seaside breaks for Rotarians and their families for many years.

In 2002 Alfred and his lifelong friend, the late Gerald Edwards, were honoured by Rotarians from across the region.

The pair were presented with the movement's prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship for their long and distinguished service.

Alfred Foster is survived by his children Judith and Christopher - a Leominster chiropodist - three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.