About a hundred people both locals from the village and YHA members
staying at the hostel for effectively it's last night attended a
funeral service in the village high street on Saturday afternoon about
16:00.

The funeral cortege was led by John Anette and other members of COPSE
carrying a coffin marked up good bye Kemsing, followed by the Rev Nigel
Ashworth the Kemsing village vicar and the gathered assembly. The
cortege moved around the village attended by a press photographer
taking pictures.

(Much to the annoyance of some of the locals)

The coffin was finally taken up to the hostel and prayers and hymns
were sung in the common room and after the service a period of memories
and reminicising was undertaken by all present who had fond memories of
the hostel over the years.

A meal and a party was to be held later on, a time to sing and play
music and then a firework party and the coffin was to ceremoniously
burned to bring the Saturday event to an end.

Sunday was an opportunity to go on a walk either with June Jordan and
the Kent Walk or a ramble led by Ron Smith from COPSE.

Vale Kemsing, gone for good, but will not be forgotten by the members
who experienced it over the years.

Phil Manning (Croydon YHA Group)