I am saddened to read about the passing of Dame Esther Ransom.

Esther was one of a few New Forest based celebrities. She contributed so much to society, both at a local level and a National level.

I remember her taking time to give a talk at Testwood school many years ago. She was also very kind and did the honours at an opening ceremony at a hospital unit at Tatchbury when I worked there.

Very few people stayed engaged and interested in matters of the day, long after normal retirement age, particularly in her work helping set up Childline and her work in the assisted dying debate.

Of course, she will be fondly remembered by many in my generation for the more light hearted stuff on TV with the long running “That’s Life” show. All told, she was a remarkable personality.