++ BREAKING NEWS ++ BREAKING NEWS ++
TOM TURNBULL, one of the best-known businessmen and local politicians in north Northumberland, has died in hospital after a short illness.
The sad news was confirmed by family members who were informed of his death shortly after returning home to Branxton following a visit to his bedside.
At the time of his death Tom still ran – with his son, Paul – their engineering business from premises behind the Blue Bell pub on the A697 at Pallinsburn, even though he was well into his eighties.
He was as hands-on in the community as he was in business: he was credited with almost single-handedly saving his beloved Crookham Village Hall from extinction in the 1980s when, at the late Lady Joicey’s urging, he took over its chairmanship at a time when attendees and funds were dwindling. He then worked to rejuvenate the committee and, in partnership with succeeding chairmen, set the hall on course to its current healthy state today.
Tom was still a Ford Parish councillor – based on owning business premises within the parish – at the time of his death and was an active member and official of the north Northumberland British Legion.
He leaves a widow, the much-loved Eileen, a daughter Helen and son Paul, and grandchildren
**Funeral arrangements and further details will be published here as they come to hand. **
