Tributes to Peterborough community champion Brian Gascoyne

Brian Gascoyne worked hard for numerous years across the city - especially in the New England and Millfield areas of Peterborough.

Today Tim Jones, chairman of the Millfield and New England Regeneration Partnership (MANERP) paid tribute to Brian.

Brian had been chairman of the organisation for a number of years.

Tim said; "It is with immense sadness I have to announce the passing of Brian Gascoyne.

"Words seem inadequate to express the loss and our thoughts and prayers are with (Brian's wife) Sandie and the family at this time.

"We will obviously be cancelling tonights planned meeting and regrouping moving forward. It will take quite a few people to step up to cover the gap left by Brian that's for sure."

Former BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Paul Stainton added his tributes. He said: "Brian was a stalwart of New England & Millfield community who did so much for others.He contributed many times to discussions on the radio & was never afraid to speak his mind.The most interesting 'boring old fart' I ever met."

Brian was awarded the British Empire Medal when he was aged 68 in 2017 for his work in the community.

Along with his work in Millfield and New England, he had also been the chairman of the Peterborough Holocaust Memorial Day Committee.

He became known through the city as a landlord of a number of pubs, including The Crown,the Cross Keys, the Carpenters Arms and the Boys Head.

He was also previously editor of Out and About News, a publication for the LGBTQ community and secretary of the Peterborough Hackney Carriages Driving Federation.