Claire Miles - a dear friend and fellow campaigner of Phil Fletcher, who sadly died earlier this year - has paid tribute to the man she knew.

Mr Fletcher sent many letters to The Herts Advertiser during his lifetime, and supported a number of local and national causes.

He passed away on Friday, February 10, and has since been described as "a tireless campaigner for the sake of life on Earth".

Herts Advertiser: Phil had been bullied at school, and was later diagnosed with autism.Phil had been bullied at school, and was later diagnosed with autism. (Image: Claire Miles)

Ms Miles told The Herts Advertiser: "I attended Phil’s funeral in a tree sanctuary and a beautiful memorial locally with family and friends.

"I believe that he would want to be remembered as an activist, and would want to encourage others to stand up accordingly against abusive systems.

"Phil was a proficient musician and talented at learning foreign languages.

"He lived for twenty years in Germany and (later) lived in Chile – working on a farm project.

"Phil was bullied at school, and finally got himself diagnosed as autistic as an adult.

Herts Advertiser: Phil's level of commitment has been described as truly astonishing.Phil's level of commitment has been described as truly astonishing. (Image: Claire Miles)

"Those of us who met him through activism remember him as someone who was always ‘there’ and everywhere where we were not.

"As a 74-year-old he was still cycling around the country campaigning – his level of commitment was truly astonishing!

"We found Phil challenging at times – he pushed his physical boundaries to the utmost and we did our best to look after him, within his need to be part of every protest.

Herts Advertiser: Phil continued to cycle around the country, campaigning, at the age of 74.Phil continued to cycle around the country, campaigning, at the age of 74. (Image: Claire Miles)

"Within St Albans, he protested against Glyphosate and the banking sector’s funding of fossil fuels.

"Phil, our dear friend, sadly missed but residing in our hearts, we remember you through our actions as we try to save the future of Life on Earth.

"I think Phil would have liked people to attend our non-violent, police-sanctioned protest outside Westminster between April 21 and 24.

"In the words of my husband, Richard Lafford’s eulogy at Phil’s funeral, ‘There’s a Phil-shaped hole in the world today, A Phil-shaped hole in our world’."