TENDRING councillors have honoured a popular parish council chairman who once laid in front of a transit van to stop a playing field being invaded by travellers.

Peter Dumsday of Weeley died last Friday aged 76 after an illness, leaving villagers shocked as he remained active in village matters right until the end.

This included him being part of a ‘human chain’ of fellow villagers this summer to halt the travellers. Mr Dumsday also successfully fought to prevent 1,400 homes being built in Weeley.

At a full meeting of Tendring District Council on Tuesday night, councillors staged a minute’s silence in tribute.

Weeley district councillor Jeff Bray told the Gazette: “Peter was a lovely man who has spent years standing up for his beloved village of Weeley. He was liked by all who knew him and trusted by those lucky enough to have worked alongside him.

“I am deeply saddened by his loss and wish that I had more time to learn from his knowledge and integrity. I have no doubt that peter will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the community in general. We have lost a man who most would describe as 'one of the good guys’,” he said.

Fellow district councillor Mike Brown commented: “Peter was a great guy and a good, hardworking chairman for Weeley Parish.”

Weeley Parish councillor Mary Wesley-Smith said: “Peter was an amazing character. He was one of those people who cared about Weeley and Weeley issues. He was on the ball with everything. Weeley Parish will have a big hole to fill.”

Peter Dumsday had two step-children Julie and Christopher, plus five grandchildren.

He came from Greenwich and after living in Barking, he and Pamela moved to Weeley in 1999.

Before retiring the 76-year-old worked as a senior manager with British Gas.

Mrs Dumsday said:”He was a very kind, fair, caring man, who cared very much about Weeley. He did a lot for the village. We have had a lot of messages from people across the village who told me he was a lovely man.”

Despite such work for Weeley, family came first.

“We had our Silver Wedding last year. I keep saying to people it’s quality not quantity that counts.”

Peter joined Weeley Parish Council in 2011 and became Chairman in 2014. He was also a Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Weeley Village Hall Committee and was involved with the church along with Pamela.

His replacement as chairman of Weeley Parish Council will be Christine Hamilton.