TRIBUTES have been paid to the founder of the Farnham Pilgrim Marathon and an ever-present member of the Farnham Weyside Rotary Club over many years, David Holdford, who died aged 76 on May 21.

David was born in Iver, Buckinghamshire, and studied biology and geology at Sheffield University - going on to teach these subjects at Sheffield’s King Edward’s Grammar school. It was also in Sheffield where he met his wife, Veronica.

His love of scientific subjects and an inquiring mind stayed with him throughout his life. Even when ill, he exchanged views with the doctors about the half-life of the radioactive material being used and how the treatment worked.

All that knowledge was put to good use in setting some fiendishly difficult questions for his Rotary club’s annual quiz night.

But the main legacy David leaves behind for the club and Farnham is the Farnham Pilgrim Marathon, initiated in 2010 when he was president, and which he organised for five years. This was an immediate success, voted the best new event by the readers of Runners World and now attracts around 700 runners each year.

Many will also know David through his music, playing the piano at many charity events from the Great Farnham Duck Race to Sailability barbecues, Phyllis Tuckwell HospiceCare Charity’s Walk Under the Stars or the Woodlarks’ carol service.

He was also a founding member of Friends of St Lawrence (FOSL), raising money for the Seale church’s upkeep by organising concerts and a ‘Seale’s Got Talent’ evening.

Music played a large part in his life from a schoolboy band with his father as chauffeur to a student group while at university and then playing solo or accompanying singers over the years. Given a choice, jazz was always at the top of his list.

Despite all this talent, he remained very modest and was keen to help others, share his knowledge with all around him and not talk about his own achievements.

He had been an active member of the Farnham Weyside Rotary Club (www.farnhamweyside.org.uk) until his illness made it difficult for him to participate and attend meetings.