The death on Monday of Mr. James William Panter (66), of 21, Washbrook-road, Rushden, has removed an active and valuable worker from the Mission Church.  He was one of the few bandsmen who migrated from the Salvation Band and joined the "Tin Tabernacle" in Station-road, eventually forming the nucleus of the Mission Band.  He played the solo baritone part throughout his 30 years of active musicianship, and when he gave up playing he was made a life-member of the band, also retaining up to his death the office of honorary treasurer, in which he had completed 41 years of continuous service.  He was also a member of the Mission choir for 35 years, and was a leader of the church.

Mr. Panter was also a keen bowls enthusiast.  A member of the Spencer Park B.C., he played regularly for years in the Saturday team and achieved distinction in the various competitions, winning the Thurston Cup three years in succession and also taking the chief prizes in the pairs and woods competitions. On one occasion his team were regional winners in the "News Chronicle" competition and went close to reaching the All-England semi-finals.

He leaves a widow, Mrs. Amy Panter, a son and a daughter. The son, Mr. Ernest Panter, is the popular secretary of the Mission Band and an ex-president of the Northants Federation of C.E. Unions. The daughter, Mrs. Chas. Moule (Florrie), formerly of Leicester, is now resident in Rushden. Also bereaved are three brothers, Fred (in Canada), Christopher and John, two sisters, Mrs. A. Carrington and Mr. R. W. Mackness, and one grandson.

The funeral service takes place at the Mission Church on Friday.