Funeral service for much-loved Ben Vidler to take place at Kelham Hall on January 7 at 1pm

A humanist funeral service will take place for the much-loved teacher and former publican Ben Vidler on Wednesday, January 7.

As the Advertiser's website and Facebook page pay testament, Mr Vidler was extremely well thought of whether it be as landlord of The Wheatsheaf on Slaughterhouse Lane, Newark, science teacher at Giles Academy in Boston or vice-president of Newark Rugby Club.

He died at the age of 49.

Described as a larger than life character, Mr Vidler, of Coddington, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year and was told by consultants at the Queen's Medical Centre he had limited time remaining.

When the Advertiser spoke to him in September, Mr Vidler, who was not a religious man, said he was determined not to "spend my last todays crying over lost tomorrows."

The service will take place in The Dome at Kelham Hall at 1pm.

The bar will be open and coffees and teas will be available beforehand.

A private burial will then take place at Tithe Barn on the Oxton Estate.

There will then be a wake at Newark Rugby Club's Kelham Road ground.