It is with deep sadness that Petersfield Town Council has learned of the death of past councillor and Town Mayor, Ken Hick on Saturday 14^th May.

Ken served the Town Council for many years with great wisdom, conviction and professionalism and is the last person to have served on both Petersfield Urban District Council (UDC) and Petersfield Town Council.  His public service to the town in local government started in 1965 on the UDC and continued until he decided to retire from the Town Council in 2011.  He served as the first Town Mayor of the newly formed Petersfield Town Council in 1974 and undertook the role again in 1987 and 2002.

Ken had a great love of Petersfield’s Festival Hall and he was the driving force behind the improvements seen to the building during the 1980’s when the Rose Room was constructed along with the current foyer and various improvements to the stage and equipment available to provide a first class performance venue for the town.  His interests though were not restricted to the Town Council.  He was a very active member of the Historical Society, wrote books on the town’s history and was an active member of the community in many ways.  He was one of those instrumental in the Petersfield Community Association obtaining the current building that they have in Love Lane when on their committee in the 1960’s and performed many, many times for amateur dramatic groups on the stage at the Festival Hall.  His dedication and devotion to the town was immense and in all he did for the community, the benefit to the town was at his heart.

The Council’s sincere condolences go to his wife, Jean at this most difficult time.