David Formby RIP
On 7th January St Oswald’s Church was full to capacity and the car park overflowing, with seventeen vehicles parked in the approach lane, such was the huge turnout for the funeral of out of respect for David Formby.
An adventurous individual, he was captain of Rugby, football and Cricket at his school, leaving to travel to Africa at the tender age of 19 years where he spent two years involved in agriculture.
On return, David bought 30 acres of apples and after deciding this was not going to be his lasting career, moved onto growing flowers. Later David was involved in a 3 year stint in Turkey advising and exporting apples, cherries, figs and oranges to destinations throughout the world. David arrived in Hooe with his family, first joining the Apple Growers Association at Horsemonden initially as Manager, and later, as one member of the association said at the service, saving the Association as Managing Director.
David was a great friend to Hooe, he will be sorely missed. The initial idea for a Millenium Wood blossomed into reality when David took over, using his vast professional knowledge and skills to create it for the people of Hooe. David spent many happy hours working on the project, without him it may never have happened. He created a special place for residents to use for many years to come and we are truly grateful. How fitting it would be if the wood was renamed in his honour and a sign erected ‘The David Formby Millennium Wood’ Your thoughts on that idea please.
