The following letter has been published by agreement from Peter's widow Pat Dickinson.

Pete "5 bellies" Dickinson

Farewell to the councillor with ‘a heart of gold’

Peter (on left) With Life Vice President Greg Pettit at our 2002 AGM

Peter and the reason we titled him "5 bellies"

Born in Greenwich, London, Peter worked in the motor pool at RAF Wyton near St. Ives where he met his wife, Pat, in 1956. They married in 1958 and moved to Chatteris in 1975.

Pete was forced to take early retirement from work as a long distance lorry driver in 1992 after suffering a heart attack and it was at this point that he took up community work and became a parent governor at the school his son Christopher attended, Meadowgate School in Wisbech.

As well as adopting a community role he was elected to Chatteris town council in 1994 and was also a Conservative member of Fenland Council, representing Chatteris, Slade Lode Ward.

A Vice President of CFPAS Ltd. he was also an active member of our Society especially at our Block Fen fishery at Mepal, work which his wife Pat described as his "first love".  Because of his dedication, tireless effort and devotion to the fishery he was bestowed the title of "Fisheries Manager" in 2003.  Pete and Christopher seemed to spend the entire day at the fishery as they chatted to each and every Angler fishing the pit giving out tips and basically having a good old natter with one and all.

Councillor Florence Newell, chairman of Chatteris Town Council said: "... He was a brusque man with a heart of gold and I will greatly miss him."

Chatteris Councillor Ray German said of Peter: "... They don't come along like him very often."

And finally, Chatteris Town Council clerk Joanna Melton said: "... He was a good man."

I couldn't have put it better myself.

borrowed in part with the kind permission of The Cambs Times