FOR thousands of Hampshire folk he was a familiar face at the other end of the lens.

For five decades freelance photographer Len Harvell, who has died, covered every aspect of the closely knit community.

Len’s lens recorded everything from small amateur shows to major civic occasions, from visiting celebrities to members of the Royal Family.

He mainly provided photographs for the Eastleigh Weekly News, which was later merged with the Hampshire Chronicle, now owned by the Southern Daily Echo’s parent company News-quest.

Len’s skill, good humour and generosity made him the photographer of choice for many community and business organisations.

Many of Len’s early Eastleigh photographs were used by the council and the Eastleigh Museum Service.

He took thousands of wedding portraits often returning to photograph the marriages of the children of those parents he originally photographed.

Len, who for many years lived on the Nightingale Avenue estate, was made a Citizen of Honour in 1987 by Eastleigh Council for his contribution to the borough.

Daily Echo:

About five years ago Len’s work was in an exhibition to mark the Nightingale Estate’s 60th anniversary. The framing and reproduction of the photographs were funded by News-quest owner’s Gannett Foundation and The Eastleigh Youth Trust.

The exhibition reflected how Len had recorded a huge chunk of Eastleigh’s social history.

But the just over 50 photographs did not scratch the surface of the tens of thousands of pictures taken during Len’s distinguished professional career.

Len’s funeral service is on Thursday at 12.30pm at All Saints Church, Eastleigh, followed by burial at Eastleigh Cemetery.

Flowers should be sent c/o A H Rogers & Sons, 64 Market Street, Eastleigh.