SALISBURY Liberal Democrats are mourning the loss of two key party players who died within weeks of each other.

Lieutenant Colonel John Haywood, aged 89, died on March 6. Shortly after, on April 25, 83-year-old Doctor John English also died.

Both were members of the 1995 to 1999 Lib Dem administration controlling Salisbury District Council.

They were at the forefront of implementing Salisbury’s Park and Ride facility and the pedestrianisation of the city’s High Street.

A two-minute silence will be held at the party’s executive, to honour the work of the two men, which was described by the party as “very significant and forward looking”.

Prior to taking his place as a councillor, John Haywood was a career soldier, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Artillery.

He was also a prominent member of the Catholic Church and Amesbury Town Council.

Following his work as district councillor, John served on Wiltshire Council, and had a special interest in education acting as a governor of Dauntsey’s School.

A member of Amesbury Rotary, his special project was to provide emergency boxes for use in disaster areas after earthquakes and tsunamis.

Dr John English was a GP and later in life honoured by being made a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs .

He sought to demonstrate how complimentary therapies, healthy lifestyles and a healthy environment could contribute to general health - thinking which followed into his period as a district councillor.

He was a sponsor of the Arts Centre, alongside his wife Wendy, and worked to support it.

His memorial service is to be held at 3.30pm on Monday at Salisbury Arts Centre.

All are welcome to pay their respects, and John’s love of music will be celebrated by a number of performances.