HUNDREDS of people packed into The Ark Conference Centre to say a final farewell to a much-loved consultant radiologist.
Dr Graham Plant spent decades working in Basingstoke hospital, and was instrumental in the interventional radiology service.
Former colleagues, friends, and patients gathered last Friday to pay tribute to the “extraordinary and ordinary” man, who passed away on January 20 at the age of 61.
Dr Andrew Bishop, chief medical officer at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation described his colleague and friend of many years as a “gifted” doctor.
Speaking to a packed hall, and to others in the centre via a projector, he said: “He was gifted, he had the magic.
“I have no doubt that he wanted us to celebrate and have fun. This is a celebration of an extraordinary and exuberant life.
“But we need to be honest. Graham Plant died too young. There was a lot to come, that is the sad truth, and we will miss him.”
Dr Plant was a founder member of the British Society of Interventional Radiologists, and a former chairman of the Ark Medical Trust, which helped to plan and fundraise for The Ark Conference Centre.
He joined Basingstoke hospital in 1987, and retired in December 2013. In November last year he was invited back to open the new state-of-the-art angiography unit at the hospital, in Aldermaston Road.
Dr Bishop said: “He had an extraordinary love of life. He had extraordinary friendships and was always pushing things to the limit.
“He was an extraordinary man, but also an ordinary bloke who was loved by everyone from all walks of life.”
Basingstoke Hospital Male Voice Choir sang at the celebration, and those gathered also joined in with hymns Bread of Heaven and Jerusalem.
Dr Peter Murphy, from Bristol, paid tribute to his old schoolfriend, and Dr Plant’s skiing pal Henry Meredith-Hardy shared stories of their time on the slopes.
Mr Merv Rees, clinical director of surgery at HHFT, also spoke about his friend and colleague of many years.
Following the service guests joined Carole, Dr Plant’s widow, for drinks and canapés to continue the celebration.
Donate to the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, in memory of Dr Plant, at arkcancercharity.org.uk.
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