Educator, re-enactor, forager, jeweller, silversmith, butcher, researcher, goldsmith, distiller, medieval baker, husband, father, friend - local hero Gareth Riseborough passed away on 26 March after being diagnosed with cancer in August 2020. He was 57-years-old.

Locally known as the Cosmeston Medieval Village baker, Gareth touched many lives in both the community and the world of historical re-enactment.

His love for life and passion for heritage were legendary.

A campaign started last Monday to raise £2,000 for his memorial bench reached its target within 24 hours - a testament to the impression the man left on those he met.

A tree will be planted to shade the bench, which will be inscribed with a currently undetermined message.

"It was a joy to have known him," fundraiser founder and fellow re-enactor Martin Cowley tells Nub News.

"Inspirational is the word. He did what he wanted to do. If he wanted to learn how to skin a deer, he would. If he wanted to make some Celtic bracelets one week, he would. Just one of those infinitely interesting and curious and truly larger than life people."

Gareth is survived by his wife Sally, one of the few people to match his love for all things historical - an expert in medieval medicine, cosmetics and knitwear.

Together they ran a heritage education business, bringing "inspiration from the past to enrich the future".

Sally herself is recovering from a breast cancer operation performed last week. The fundraiser's surplus (which currently stands at an ever-rising £1,870) will go to Sally for her to allocate as she sees fit.

"I think she's giving half of it to the hospice and the other half will help take away the financial burden while she recovers," says Martin.

"As all self-employed people will tell you, you don't get sick pay."

Donations continue to flood in alongside messages of support and remembrance.

"I have so many fond memories of Gareth," reads one. "He was such a fun, kind and generous man. He loved people, he loved making, he loved life, but most of all he loved Sally."

"Such a wonderful man," remembers another. "Skilled, incredibly nice, dramatically funny and such mischief in just a smile. We didn't get to know each other much, but you're such an inspiration."

Gareth had originally trained as a chef before "deciding it was more fun to work in a different century".

It was this free spirited approach to life that defined his magnetic personality and guided the life he led.

"I'm not really surprised at all that the fundraiser has raised so much," continues Martin. "He touched the lives of so many people. He inspired me and my wife to keep running our own business (Cowley Fine Foods 'experts in the manufacture and history of preserved food' ) - just one of those people where there was always something going on when he was around, so much fun."

The bench will be installed in the Cosmeston Medieval Village Museum Green, where Gareth was often spotted clad in medieval clothes puffing a cigarette while taking a break.

Martin says the crew are planning a memorial battle reenactment for charity in Gareth's name.

COVID-19 restrictions will have to be lifted before that can take place.

"For the sort of thing Gareth would want, to really do the man justice, there can't be any restrictions in place. It will have to be larger than life as well."

Follow THIS LINK to donate to the bench fundraiser.

Nub News was unable to speak with Sally, but she posted the following on the duo's Facebook page the day after Gareth passed:

"I'm so sorry to have to announce that Gareth left for the last great adventure last night.

"Although we'd all known his illness was getting steadily worse, at lunchtime yesterday he was still able to laugh at stories about his cat, talk a little about things he enjoyed and tell me that he loved me. He deteriorated fast in the early evening and I was with him when he died peacefully a little after seven.

"He had so much fun throughout his life, and will be remembered in so many ways.

"Gareth John Riseborough, 29 February 1964- 26 March 2021"