Tributes to fenland local government official

A long-serving local government official, Ron Dixon, who served as clerk to two fenland councils at the same time, has died peacefully aged 95.

When he joined the former Marshland Rural District Council in 1948, he had originally intended to stay for just two years.

However, he had never regretted his long career in what he had found to be a lovely part of rural England.

When members of Marshland RDC met for the last time in March 1974, it was not in the council chamber in Alexandra Road, Wisbech, but in the Rose & Crown's Trumpet Hall. A five-course meal for members and wives was served as a nostalgic farewell.

In a retirement tribute, Mr Dixon had shown over and over that it was possible for a man to serve two masters.

He had been clerk to Wisbech RDC and also Marshland for 26 years. On the thorny and potentially divisive issue of boundary revision, the councils had been diametrically opposed. However Mr Dixon's knowledge, ability and integrity was such that he enjoyed the implicit trust of both authorities.

Always active in the community, Mr Dixon was a past president of Wisbech Rotary Club and chairman of the Wisbech Players. He was also a member of Sutton Bridge Golf Club.