Egremont Crab Fair’s stalwart president has died aged 69.
Steve Foster, of Egremont, was part of the fair’s committee for almost 40 years and has been instrumental to its success in the town.
The Crab Fair Committee have paid tribute to Steve’s life and have described him as incredibly hard working, enthusiastic, supportive and an overall true gent.
Steve’s longstanding contribution to the fair will be formally honoured at this year’s event.
Callum Scott, chairman of Egremont Crab Fair, said Steve will be deeply missed by the committee and wider fair community.
He said: “I am incredibly saddened by the loss of Steve. He’s been a huge part of the Crab Fair for all its recent past.
“He’s always been incredibly supportive to both me as I grew from junior member to chair, and countless other committee members.
“Running the Crab Fair can be a tough job – with lots to do and not enough hours or hands to do all that needs done.
“But despite this, Steve was an ever-present, willing to do anything needed to help the event without a word of complaint.
“He did this even when suffering from his own health problems. It’s telling that many people wouldn’t have known about these, because he tended not to talk about them, and just get on with the job in hand.
“In losing Steve we’ve not only lost a fair die-hard, but we’ve also lost his institutional memory of how and why we do the things we do.
“He will be missed by us all.”
Over the years, Steve has taken on several different roles within the committee and he was a core part of the fair and its inner workings.
He also greatly supported and positively impacted the growth of several other committee members along the way.
The committee said: “Steve had been on the committee for almost 40 years, and was instrumental to the event’s success.
“It isn’t an exaggeration to say that in recent years, without him, there would have been no fair.
“Steve’s involvement in the fair was as varied as it was lengthy. His first involvement in the fair was in producing the programme – which he did, with commitment and dedication, every year from 1990 to 2018.
“In addition to this, he was at one point or another, promotions manager, acting secretary, president, and most recently, the treasurer.
“He was the chairman for 18 years, stepping down after the 750th anniversary fair.
“In recent years, he ensured the fair’s finances were in hand, as funding sources dried up, this proved no mean feat. Yet despite these challenges, he was always on hand with a friendly smile, a sage word, and support for the newest members of the committee.
“He was passionate about the town’s youth and was always keen to support their development as junior committee members.
“Callum joined as a junior committee member, as did fellow committee member Kevin Brown.
“They both recall the enthusiastic way he welcomed them and encouraged their growth.
“Those who knew Steve remember a passionate Crab Fair stalwart, who did his all to make it the best event possible. They remember someone who never shied from hard work, and whose step count at each year’s event was through the roof.
“They remember his commitment to fundraising and to ensuring the multi-terrain race ran smoothly.
“They appreciated his pragmatic problem solving abilities, and describe him as a true gent.
“They also recognise that Steve did all that was required of him, all that the fair needed, without complaint, even when his own health was not at its best.
“While the Crab Fair and the town of Egremont are poorer today for the loss of Steve, they are so much stronger for his contribution over the years.
“The Crab Fair committee today mourns the passing of Steve. His family and friends are in our thoughts.”
