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23rd July 2010
The Guild are sad to announce the death of Charles Pickering,
former Town Crier of Peterborough after a long fight against cancer.
The funeral was held on August 2nd at 11:00am at St Andrews Church,
Whittlesea, followed by cremation in Peterborough.
Donations in lieu of flowers were given to Sue Ryder Care, Thorpe Hall Hospice.
Our sincere condolences go to CharlesÂ’ family and friends.
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Charles Pickering: Tributes paid to town crier
PeterboroughÂ’s popular town crier Charles Pickering has died after a long battle with cancer.
Community stalwart Mr Pickering (77), of Viking Way, in Whittlesey, was appointed town crier by Peterborough City Council in October 2007.
He died after a two-year battle with cancer at his home in Whittlesey on Tuesday, surrounded by his family, including his widow Margaret.
His family have paid tribute to a “much-loved family man” whose rich life saw him cook for the Queen and sail around the world three times.
Yorkshire-born, Mr Pickering began a career at sea at 16 and spent years sailing the globe with the Merchant and Royal Navy.
One of the highlights of his career was as chef to the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth on the Royal Yacht Britannia in the 1950s.
Mr Pickering, who moved to Whittlesey in 1999, leaves behind two children, Richard and Kay and three grandchildren.
He was active in the Freemasons, where he spent the last year of his life as Master of the Lodge.
Speaking to The Evening Telegraph in 2007 he described being town crier as a “boyhood ambition”.
His daughter Kay Corley said it was something he had been “extremely proud” of.
Mrs Corley, headteacher at Gunthorpe Primary School, said her father was a “force of nature” who engaged everyone he met.
She said: “He was known for his intelligence, humour and the fact he was very giving and supportive.
“He had basically been there and done that through his life and he was always available to give advice to his family and friends.
“He always put his family first. We will all miss him greatly.”
As town crier, Mr Pickering performed up to 35 civic duties a year, including the opening of the annual Bridge Fair.
Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor Keith Sharp, said: “Charles will be sadly missed, as he performed his duties as town crier with great distinction, immense presence and, when appropriate, with great humour.”
Cllr Sharp presented Mr Pickering with a framed photograph of himself wearing town crier robes to mark his retirement from the position just a few weeks ago.
He added: “He spoke with great passion about his time spent as town crier and said he loved being part of the community and meeting so many new people.”
Mr PickeringÂ’s funeral will take place at 11am on August 2 at St Andrews Church, in Whittlesey, followed by a service at Peterborough Crematorium.
Mourners are asked to give donations to Sue Ryder CareÂ’s Thorpe Hall Hospice, in lieu of flowers.
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