BELSAY, Northumberland, UK (3 Sep 2004) -- The death of a retired North farmer on a diving holiday in Turkey has shocked the rural Northumberland village where he was a popular neighbour. Father-of-two Ian Fearns, 55, was diving with 11 friends when he got into difficulty 70 to 80 metres underwater off the small resort of Kas. He failed to surface and his body was recovered from the sea by the Turkish coastguard the following day. Yesterday, friends and neighbours of Mr Fearns in the farming community of Belsay described him as outgoing, energetic and "one of the most helpful men you could hope to meet." Mr Fearns, who used to run the village post office, was a popular member of the tight-knit community and was often seen walking his dog over the surrounding fields. Neighbour Lorna Adamson, whose parents were best friends with Mr Fearns and his widow Kathleen, paid tribute to him. She said: "He was such a lovely man - he couldn't be more helpful and energetic. "He used to come and help my kids with their computer. "The whole village was just in shock when we heard what happened. "It's a very close community so we all heard within hours. "I know he loved diving but it was such a tragic way for him to die." | | An experienced diver, Mr Fearns was due to return back to his wife and their children Paul and Julie on Monday. A close friend of the couple, who asked not to be named, said: "I still can't believe he won't be bounding in to see us because he was very like that - full of energy. "The couple were very private people but loved the village and everyone in it." Mr and Mrs Fearns sold their £395,000 six-bedroom farmhouse in Belsay last August. Named Bounder House, they built it themselves 15 years ago. They had run a successful bed and breakfast business for more than a decade but had decided to retire and move into their daughter's cottage in the grounds of their former home. At the time, Mrs Fearns said they were both looking forward to retirement. The couple said they planned to travel and were looking forward to spending more time with their grandchildren. SOURCE - The Journal |
