A PETERSFIELD man who greatly helped to maintain and protect the Heath has died, aged 81.

John Pike, of The Avenue, won a prestigious Mayor’s Award for his work with the Friends of Petersfield Heath (FoPH).

He founded the now thriving group in 1999 and was chairman from 2005 to 2015, before a major stroke in August last year curtailed his many activities.

As well as raising its profile in the town, and boosting membership, projects he undertook included the installation of raised paths, making it more accessible to walkers, the spread of heather, and the creation of dry hedges from recycled saplings and scrub.

With members of FoPH, which won community awards from the Petersfield Society and Life in Petersfield, he also oversaw the restoration of Victorian railings.

Current chairman Richard Warton said: “I remember John as a real gentleman, kind and considerate and always the diplomat. As FoPH chairman he gained great support and advancing membership steadily over the years.

“Having had a long association with the Heath, he was always concerned about both its welfare and management, steering a delicate course between conflicting opinions.”

Born in Petersfield in 1935, John was a pupil at Churcher’s College, until he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) for his two year’s national service. He then enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in civil engineering, building bridges, and roads including a stretch of the M3 from Winchester.

He married Vivien at St Peter’s Church in 1961, and the couple had two sons, Ian and Richard. Four grandsons and a grand-daughter followed.

John was a very keen sportsman, playing rugby and cricket for Petersfield. He became the vice-president and a trustee of Petersfield Cricket Club. He was also chairman of the Petersfield South Downs Probus Club in 2008.

He and Vivien greatly enjoyed running the Turnpike Gallery in Dragon Street, Petersfield, for eight years during retirement.

“We absolutely loved every minute of doing that together. It really worked, and it was lovely,” recalled Vivien (77). “John also loved the countryside and walking, and it was perfection to him to be near the South Downs. And for as long as he could, he would walk around the pond.”

The family are very gratified that John’s body has been accepted for medical research, as he wished.