ST MARY’S Church in Old Basing was recently packed with people celebrating the life of a former Basingstoke and Deane mayor.

Keith Brant, known for answering a straight question with a straight answer, passed away on May 13 after battling against cancer, aged 77.

Born at Polecat Corner, in Old Basing in June 1937, the popular and well respected former councillor was mayor in 1993-1994.

A highlight of his mayoral year was when he took the keys for the opening of the The Anvil and opened the refurbished Haymarket Theatre.

He also introduced the Mayor’s Award for people who had given distinguished service to the borough.

Hard working and with a good sense of humour the loving husband led a busy and varied life and was devoted to his two grandchildren.

As a young man, the keen footballer had the opportunity to play for Chelsea. But as an engineering apprentice he could not afford the daily trip up to London for training.

However, he did play for Thornycroft, Alton Town, and Tadley where he was captain for many years and finished off playing at Old Basing.

He once said: “I was a centre half. I could never really play myself, but I made it awkward for the posers who thought they could.”

His widow June Brant and mother of his daughter Alison, recalled: “He was a football fanatic supporting Southampton all his life, although he did have a soft spot for Chelsea.”

Mrs Brant, who was married to her husband for 53 years said: “He was very community-minded – he’d do anything for someone if it was in his power.

“And he always said, ‘the more you put into life the more you get out’.”

Mr Brant was a magistrate for 15 years, being appointed in 1987 and was a member of East Hants Caravan Club, becoming its chairman in 1974.

Interested in education, he was a governor at various schools in Basingstoke, including Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School.

He was also vice-chairman of the Crown Heights Medical Centre Patients Group.

With Mrs Brant being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, in 1981, he set up a charity called the Keith Brant MS Trust, to offer help to MS suffers.

In addition, he was a keen and talented photographer as well as enjoying walking and gardening.