A FORMER Dorset councillor, mayor of Shaftesbury and secretary of the Society of Dorset Men, Gordon Hine died peacefully in Gillingham on December 15, aged 93.
Mr Hine served as the society’s secretary for 25 years – the longest serving in the group’s 110-year history. He had joined in 1958.
From his home in Shaftesbury, Mr Hine kept in touch with members throughout the UK and around the world, while helping to establish the local focus the society has fostered in later years.
Spokesman Michel Hooper-Immins said: “Gordon Hine made an enormous contribution to the Society of Dorset Men.
“As secretary from 1979 to 2004, he was a towering figure in our organisation, laying the firm foundation for our modern society.
“Together with president Sir Anthony Jolliffe and chairman Roy Adam, Gordon Hine kept the society together during some difficult years.”
Mr Hine had many times entertained members of the Society of Dorset Men at his fascinating Hine Collection of Mechanical Music in New Road, Shaftesbury.
He and his late father Edward collected dance, fairground and street organs for more than 40 years.
The oldest dates from 1901 – the 89-key Gavioli fair organ built at Waldkirch in the Black Forest region of Germany.
The late Edward Hine bought it in pieces in 1967 and restored the organ to full working order.
Gordon Hine, who worked as a quantity surveyor, went to Shaftesbury Grammar School.
He was, for three decades from 1963, a popular county, district and town councillor. He was the North Dorset district councillor for Motcombe & Ham from 1987 until 2007.
Faithful service was rewarded when Gordon was made an Alderman.
Three times Mayor of Shaftesbury, he was an Honorary Freeman of both Gillingham and Shaftesbury, and had served as chairman of Shaftesbury Royal British Legion and of Shaftesbury Abbey.
Mr Hine leaves his widow Jeanette, son Russell and three daughters Jillian, Jacqueline and Deborah, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral service takes place at St Mary’s Church, Gillingham, on Thursday, January 15, at 11am.
Our Obituaries reporter is Will Frampton. Call him on 01202 411255 or email will.frampton@bournemouthecho.co.uk
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