Council veteran dies aged 82

WALTER 'Robbie' Robertson, right, a distinguished veteran of the district council, died on Sunday, aged 82.

He represented St Margaret's for 22 years and chaired the council from 1981-1984.

"Robbie was dedicated to St Margaret's and will be missed by residents and his many colleagues," said Stan Launder, of the Dover and Deal Conservatives.

"Through his late wife Una, he was active in village hall activities, including the St Margaret's Village Service, which provides help to the elderly and sick," he added.

Cllr Robertson, of Well Lane, St Margaret's, had been missing district council meetings due to ill health and died in Buckland Hospital. He leaves two sons.

In May, he decided to step down as a parish councillor after 27 years.

He was a sales executive for fuel merchants in Dover and in the 1960s was commodore of the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club in Dover.

He had been a governor of Dover Grammar School for Boys for more than 20 years and in September became chairman.

He was on the school governing body at Portal House in St Margaret's, chaired Dover Probus Club and had been chairman and president of the local branch of the Dover and Deal Conservative Association.

Cllr Robertson was a founder member of the St Margaret's Society and a long-term member of the Coleman Trust in Dover.

"We remember him as reliable, full of knowledge of the subject under discussion and, at all times, courteous," added Mr Launder.

End of an era for villagers

THE death of "Robbie" Robertson on Sunday marked the end of anera.

Regarded by many as the senior statesman of local politics, Robbie had a distinguished career as a councillor, representing the village of St Maragaret's which he loved so much.

His interests covered many aspects of community life, from education to conservation, and from the Sea Cadets to pensioners,

He campaigned hard for the causes he believed in, and put his message across with great fervour. He did his research and spoke with knowledge and authority upon the issues he knew about.

Despite his age, he was still keen to be actively involved in the organisations to which he belinged.

It was only September that he took on the role of chairman of governors at the Dover Boys' Grammar School, and spoke to parents of plans for the coming year.

But above all he was a gentleman, and someone younger people turned to for advice and experience.

"Robbie" will be missed by many young people in many ways.