A POPULAR member of the family who owned the K Shoes business has died at the age of 86.

Jonathan Somervell, who was usually known as 'Jonty,' was widely know in the Kendal area as an active member of the local community with wide range of interests, most notably with the Westmorland Orchestra with whom he played the viola and was an active member for an incredible 65 years.

After spending his early years at the Somervell family home at Plumgarths, he was taken to Canada by his mother where he became a skilled ice hockey player.

On returning to the UK, Jonty went to school in Sussex before going to Cambridge University, where he read German and History, and then studied in Germany before he returned to Kendal to work in the family firm, becoming K Shoes manager of trainees.

He married wife Fidelia and moved to Braithwaite, where he was heavily involved in parish activities in the village, and he also played hockey for Netherfield.

After being made redundant by K Shoes in 1976, he and Fidelia set about converting the old family home at Plumgarths into self-catering holiday flats which he then ran as a successful business for 20 years, during which time he became a founder member of the South Lakeland Self Catering Association.

After retiring, Jonty became an active member of the Lakeland Housing Trust but also had time for his other interests such as fell walking, gardening, Scottish dancing, history and world travel.

He was also a JP in Kendal for many years and one of the longest serving members of Kendal Snowsports Club.

Jonty was also heavily involved in the setting up of the K Shoes Museum at the Netherfield factory outlet after fighting to keep much of the company memorabilia in Kendal following the company's eventual takeover by Clarks.

In addition, he was a keen photographer, a family historian who traced his lineage back to the Norman Conquest, and was noted by his family as a stickler for accuracy, especially punctuation.

Fidelia passed away some years ago, but Jonty leaves three children and four grandchildren, and will be fondly remembered by his family and his wide circle of friends in the Kendal area.

Jonty's funeral took place at Beetham last week followed by a well attended service of thanksgiving for his life at Kendal Parish Church.