A MUCH-loved Amesbury governor will be remembered in perpetuity by a new building at the school named after him.

Friends and family of Nick Chilton gathered at the school, in Hindhead, for the official opening of The Chilton Studio, which pays tribute to his contribution to sport in the local community and at national level, and in particular his involvement with Haslemere Hockey Club and the part he played in developing The Haslemere Sports Association.

Mr Chilton became an Amesbury governor in 2008. A true friend of the school, he gave a huge amount of time to it, but died aged 61 in January, 2012.

“The Amesbury governors were very keen to remember the contribution that Nick made to the life of the school and the local community by naming our new studio after him,” headteacher Nigel Taylor said.

“It provides a perfect setting from which to remember Nick, situated as it does between cricket pitches, an all-weather surface and the sports hall and being the place where we all now meet after matches for tea.“

“Amesbury’s contacts with Haslemere Hockey Association, of which Nick was chairman, president and honorary life member, have always been extremely strong, and our school facilities are well used by other local sports clubs.

“It was for this reason we chose to celebrate the evening with a hockey tournament played by Amesbury pupils, many of whom play for Haslemere Hockey Club.

“I think Nick would have been humbled, secretly very chuffed, and slightly amused maybe even bemused, given the fact that the building doubles as a dance studio to have been remembered in this way.

“We thank all those who joined us to celebrate the opening and remember Nick in this way, in particular Nick’s wife Ros and his son Nick.”