HUNDREDS of friends and colleagues of a former partner in the North East’s biggest law firm gathered at Hexham Abbey this week to pay their respects to him at a memorial service.

John Anthony, who died earlier this year, was a partner in Dickinson Miller & Turnbull and later Dickinson Dees in Newcastle, until his retirement in 1989. He leaves a widow Marjorie, three daughters, eight grandchildren and a great-grandson.

In common with many of his generation, he undertook a mixture of work specialising in the property sector but also providing invaluable advice to many private clients.

After completing his National Service and taking his degree at Magdalen College, Oxford, Mr Anthony joined Dickinson Miller & Turnbull becoming a partner in 1956.

The firm’s merger with Dees & Thompson in 1975 led to the creation of Dickinson Dees and he remained a consultant with the firm after he retired. He was involved in other businesses including Cross House Buildings Ltd and Hillprint Ltd.

He also had a spell as chairman of the Newcastle Rent Tribunal.

A keen cricketer, Mr Anthony was president of The Borderers Cricket Club, one of the world’s oldest wandering cricket clubs.