Peter McIlroy was one of the founders of the town's Community Development Trust and played an instrumental role in the local Civic Society.

Born in Penarth, Glamorgan, in 1930, his career as a civil engineer took him to London, Jamaica, and Edinburgh until he set up an office with Fairhurst and Partners in Newcastle in 1973.

He grew to love the North East and settled here, but remained fiercely loyal to the Welsh Rugby Team.

Mr McIlroy was responsible for the building of the Metro Bridge across the Tyne and was also a non-executive Director of the Port of Tyne Authority for 18 years.

In 1982 he was instrumental in negotiating the management contract for London Docklands infrastructure and spent several years organising a coherent system which he took great pride in.

On retirement to Lesbury he joined the Civic Society and acted as secretary, and as a result of his experience in the society saw the need to set up a forum which was successful and is now the Alnwick Community Development Trust.

Peter was also a keen and active member of Alnwick Rotary Club, and served both as secretary and president during his years with the club.

Even though his health was failing, he contributed with determination to produce the Lesbury Plan, which he lived to see successfully published.

Peter was had a lifelong enthusiasm for golf and held a handicap of two for many years. He was captain of the Glamorgan County Golf Team in 1961, and then moved to Kingston, Jamaica, for three years where he represented that country.

He achieved his ambition of playing to his age in 2001 when he played in a Medal Round, off the back tees, at Alnmouth Golf Club and scored a 71.

When he was captain of Alnmouth Golf Club in 2000, his project was to start a junior section with professional coaching, and this has been a resounding success with many youngsters becoming very talented golfers.

He also enjoyed doing pastel portraits of friends and family.
Peter and his wife Dinah had just celebrated 56 years of marriage with their daughters, Mary, Ruth, Hilary, Lucy and Helen, five grandsons, five granddaughters and a great grandson.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at St Mary's Church, Lesbury, on Friday at 2.30pm.