AS the nation mourns the death of the last Goon, Spike Milligan, many residents will remember the role he played in the borough's history.

Mr Milligan died of kidney failure on Tuesday morning at the age of 83. He had been in ill health for some time.

Hampton councillor Bryan Woodriff remembers when the comedian came to Richmond upon Thames in the 1970s to make a plea for St Albans House, a historic riverside building which was donated to the borough by the Cory family.

Cllr Woodriff told the Times: " He came along to St Albans House when it was being left to fall apart in the 1970s and appealed on television for it to be looked after and cherished, not to fall into disrepute.

"He stood in the ruins and said what a wonderful view it was and what a wonderful building, even in that state.

"Then the council went along and demolished it to build a small ice cream parlour at considerable cost.

"I think this shows another side of his character that few people knew. He played a very significant part in the life of Hampton."

Mr Milligan will also be remembered for his appearance in the Babes in the Wood pantomime at Richmond Theatre in December 1985.

He played one of robbers alongside Bill Pertwee, the warden in Dad's Army. The production also starred Peter Wyngarde and Patrick Cargill.

February 28, 2002 18:00