Death of popular council leader

A FORMER leader of Wealden District Council who did much good work for British tourism died last week.

Donald Chidson, 81, passed away at 2.16am on Wednesday, October 17, from a brain tumour which had been diagnosed in early September.

He was leader of the district council and chairman of the policy and resources committee from June 1990 to May 1995, and, as a resident of Waldron, had enjoyed a distinguished period of office as district councillor for both the village and Heathfield from May 1983 to May 1995.

He was also chairman of Wealden s leisure and amenities committee from May 1987 to May 1990.

Sadness

A spokesman for the council said: It was with great sadness that members heard early on Wednesday morning of Mr Chidson s death. During his period in office, Mr Chidson represented the council on numerous public bodies and other organisations and will be particularly remembered for his work in tourism and leisure.

As former director general of the national recreational organisation, the Caravan Club, he was in constant touch with, or served on, committees of the National Trust, British Tourism Association and English, Welsh and Scottish Tourism Boards.

He initiated various tourist services grant-aided by the English Tourist Board and Countryside Commission. He was also vice president of the Keep Britain Tidy group, served on committees of Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and was a past chairman of the Camping and Caravan Commission, Alliance Internationale de Tourism the association for the motoring organisations of the world.

Under his leadership, he saw the Caravan Club grow from 7,000 members in 1951 to over 250,000 families in 1985.

He served in North Africa and Italy during World War II and was awarded the Military Cross aged just 22 for services in the desert.

In 1983, he was awarded an OBE for services to tourism.

Norman Buck, the current chairman of the council, paid tribute to Mr Chidson, saying: He was a larger than life character who simply loved people and had a wonderful ability to get the best out of all those around him.

He brought some sunshine to all those with whom he was associated both in friendship and business. He will be sadly missed by all and our heartfelt sympathies are conveyed to his wife Valerie and family.

FAMILY

Mr Chidson is survived by Valerie, two adult children, Jeremy and Georgina, and two step-children, Nicholas and Elizabeth. He also had four step-grandchildren, the youngest of whom, Poppy, is just two weeks old. Mr Chidson managed to see his youngest grandchild for the first time just two days before his death.

Mr Chidson s five-yearly birthday parties had been described as legendary . His last party, in 2000, was attended by over 300 people at the Star Inn in Waldron.