TRIBUTES have been paid to much respected 'Wemian' and founding member of the revived Wem Carnival, Arthur Foster.

Mr Foster, former landlord of the White Horse in Wem and the Fox and Hounds in Shawbury passed away earlier this month aged 88.

A founding member of the revived Wem Carnival, he could often be seen leading the parade or marshalling the event up until just a few years ago.

Carnival committee member Mandy Meakin described Arthur as a local celebrity and hoped to give him a good send off.

"We can't go to his funeral but we will show our respects," said Mandy.

"Arthur was a Wem celebrity really, as the landlord of the White Horse.

"It was when Arthur was at the White Horse that it was decided to have the carnival revival – basically his idea to start it up again.

"He took a great part in the carnival and right up to three or four years ago he used to marshal with his buggy, organised the parade as it went up Pyms Road.

"And of course we made him honorary president.

"But he was a really well-known figure in Wem, when the White Horse was the pub in the town.

"He was honoured in Wem, everybody knew him, just a great fella and we plan to give him a good send off. I think quite a lot of people want to pay their respects.

"Arthur had had a good life, born in Whixall and fought in the Koran War, he's' lived in Whixall and Wem his whole life so he's a true Wemian.

"It's so sad but we do intend to give him a good send off."

Meanwhile, current carnival chairman, Clive Shingler also praised Arthur's memory.

"With the carnival, he'd been involved from its early consensus," said Clive. "Meetings have all more or less been in his pubs

"He was always with a friend, always organised the procession and was a character of the town.

"He had contact with many people throughout the town and always was involved with the organisation of the carnival.

"He was certainly part of the town for many, many years and as a publican a very well respected man and quite a character in his own right."

The funeral procession for Arthur will take place on Thursday, May 28 through Wem at around 2.35pm and will be led by a member of the Oldham Scottish Pipe Band, who often take part in the carnival.