We are sad to record that one of our Vice-Presidents and a great friend of the Festival, Brigadier Maurice Atherton has died.  With his wife Wendi, Maurice staunchly supported the Festival for as long as I can remember, and his multi-faceted life will be celebrated at Canterbury Cathedral on Monday 23 September at 2.00 pm.

Beside his distinguished military career, at Sandhurst, in Hong Kong and elsewhere, Maurice devoted his life to public service and charitable causes, as a Justice of the Peace, County President of the British Legion and High Sheriff of Kent in 1983-84.  He was chair of Canterbury Christ Church as it attained university status.

His family motto is ‘servare munia vitae’ – keep the duties of life.  Maurice Atherton fulfilled that, and so much more.

Peter Williams MBE
President
Canterbury Festival