It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Mike Bennett. Mike worked for the Kent Messenger for forty-eight years following which he was elected to Ashford Borough Council. Mike was a supporter of the Museum and during his term as a councillor, was portfolio holder for culture and heritage and served as Council Representative to the Museum. He was a driving force behind the Ashford Twinning Association and it was during a visit to our twin town Fougères, during last weekend, that he suffered a heart attack. Our sincere condolences go to his family.

I worked with Mike as a colleague and he was an absolute gentleman who was always thoughtful and caring. He will be sadly missed. He was a trustee of the Mayor's charitable trust, and he was a founding member of the twinning association. He always supported this and had a great love of France. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Mike was instrumental in forging and maintaining the relationship between Ashford, Fougères & Bad Münstereifel. He leaves behind a huge void as his knowledge of the history and events over the life of town twinning was unsurpassed. We are so desperately sad at his loss, but will do everything possible to continue this work in his memory.