TRIBUTES have been paid to the “life and soul” of Harbridge, John Stokes, who died on May 23, aged 82.

John, a former Ellingham, Harbridge and Ibsley parish councillor, was a well-loved and vibrant member of the community, who gave so much to the hamlet in which he lived with his partner of 58 years, Raymond Elias, 84.

Raymond has paid a touching tribute to the “love of my life” who died after a short illness at Salisbury Hospice.

For some 25 years, the pair would host a summer garden party for their neighbours and friends in their gardens.

Raymond said: “We gave a barbecue here on our lawn where we played rounders and had a tug of war. We would hitch the trailer on the tractor and give the children rides over the fields and lanes, which they loved.”

John, a former River Thames waterman and lighterman, and Raymond, a horticulturalist, met in West Ham, London and swiftly became inseparable. At that time the era of the London docks was ending and John helped Raymond with his newly formed window box and flower design business, which blossomed into Raymond House of Flowers.

Raymond said: “John was the life and soul of the village. He was loved by everyone and will be so missed. We did everything together, we would travel, work and spend our time with each other. We were very much a couple and our time together was exciting.

“John and I got on very well and from the moment we met we made each other our lives. I was his and he was mine.

“Raymond House of Flowers became a worldwide Interflora member and included in the directory. John was known by thousands of fellow members and made many friends over the years.”

The pair bought their house in Harbridge for their retirement in 1972, living there for the last two decades. John and Raymond made their relationship official in 2006 with a civil partnership in Ringwood.

Raymond said: “It was a large affair and it was beautiful with the music of the ocean and movement of the sea in the background. This was John’s idea. We held our reception at the New Queen in Avon, surrounded by friends and family.”

John had a love of loved nature and the pair would feed the birds on marshland at Hurst Spit, Milford-on-Sea. He also created an Italianate garden in Harbridge.

His funeral will be held on June 15 at All Saints Church, Harbridge, 2pm.