TRIBUTES have been paid to former Barnton Parish Council chairman, Clr Maurice Ferguson, who died on May 30.

It was just one month ago when Maurice, of Elmwood Road, told the parish council of his decision to retire through ill health.

He was a member of the British Long Distance Swimming Association and held many positions on the committee.

He gave up hours of his time to help the association.

He was inducted in to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, in May 2004 just two months after winning the Harry Moffat Memorial Trophy which is presented for service to the pilot lifesaver scheme.

After being presented with the trophy Maurice said: "I was absolutely pleased and quite surprised.

"This is a unique award, there is nothing which quite looks like it."

Maurice served for many years as a parish councillor and was chairman from 2003 to 2008.

Clr Helen Kirsopp is now Barnton Parish Council chairman.

She said: "Maurice was a man who loved Barnton with a passion.

"He was a charismatic champion of the people, leaving bureaucrats and officials in no doubt as to the position of the parish council and battling on to the bitter end when he felt necessary."

Maurice presided over many important village events in recent years such as the complete refurbishment of Nursery Road Recreation Ground, the sale of the old memorial hall and building of the new memorial hall.

Clr Kirsopp said: "The Parish Council are indebted to him and his family, especially Millie his wife for her support in all his hard work and we shall miss his leadership and sense of humour."

She added: "We talked about my taking over as chair before he died and I hope to honour his memory doing the village justice."

A tribute on the British Long Distance Swimming Association website said: "He was a person of great tenacity and mind bending attention to detail.

"Long distance swimming in Britain was made all the more enjoyable by the presence of one or more of his family of three children, four grandchildren and wife Milly, either in or on the water at almost every swim.

"His sons Simon and Kevin both crewed for Maurice.

"He will be sadly missed by many."

The funeral will be held at Walton Lea Crematorium today, Wednesday, at 2pm.