VILLAGE TRIBUTE TO LORD AND LADY CALLAGHAN

A wild service tree, a particular favourite of Lord Callaghan, was also planted.

A blessing was given by the Rev Canon Will Pratt, Vicar of Ringmer.

Council chairman Bob Peters said: 'Lord and Lady Callaghan were welcome and much-respected members of the community for many years.

'They always took an active interest in the village, most recently as patrons of the fund raising campaign for the village hall.

'That they chose to live in Ringmer was our good fortune and they will always be remembered with great affection.'

Jackie Warren, Ringmer acting-head teacher, said: 'I know Lord Callaghan had a long-standing interest in the school.

'He visited in the past and staff and parents still recall his obvious fondness for the children and his willingness and ability to engage with them on their terms.'

The Callaghan family was represented by daughter Baroness Margaret Jay, son Michael Callaghan, his daughter Sarah Callaghan and her partner Stuart Robinson, and their daughter Mary Robinson, aged three.

Sister Columba and Sister Monica from St George's Retreat at Ditchling, where Lady Callaghan was nursed in her last years, also attended.

The planting of the tree was undertaken by Mary Robinson and two Ringmer pupils Sophie Woolgar, six, and Sam Strutt, 10.

To mark the occasion the family presented the school with a shield, the Lord Callaghan Shield for Endeavour, which will be presented annually to a child who has shown real determination and effort at school.