PORTISHEAD has lost one of its most respected residents with the death of Jim Dyer, after a long illness. Jim cared deeply for Portishead, the surrounding area and the environment and was involved in many organisations.

Born in Brixton, Lambeth, London in 1932, Jim moved with his family to Portishead in 1939 and through the war years lived at Lipgate Place, now opposite Gordano School. On leaving St Peter's School he worked as an apprentice plumber for Carey's, the local builder and during his spell of National Service, trained as a ground electrician to add to his qualifications.

At 21, he met local girl Mary at ballroom dancing lessons and on becoming engaged, bought a plot of land in Harmony Lane, off Down Road and designed and built a bungalow.

In 1957, Mary encouraged Jim to apply for the job of instrument mechanic at the power station, where she worked. After a while he progressed into research and development and ultimately became a technical officer in the Regional Scientific Services of the Central Electricity Generating Board at Bedminster Down, until he retired in 1990.

Jim became very involved in community life and, serving as a councillor, he was chairman of North Weston Parish Council and Redcliffe Bay Hall committee.

As chairman of the Gordano Society he contributed to several of its publications. He was disappointed the case he presented on behalf of the society to designate Portishead High Street a conservation area was unsuccessful. More successful were his forays into the society's pantos!

As a member of the Wildlife Trust, he became founder member of the Gordano Conservation Group, which undertakes practical work on the trust's nature reserves in the area.

Mr Dyer was a keen walker and founder member of the Gordano Footpath Group and perhaps will be remembered best for his idea of describing and defining a circular walk around the Gordano Valley. This materialised in his book Gordano Round, which was so successful a second edition updated by the Footpath Group has been published.

His wife Mary was overwhelmed by how many attended the thanksgiving service at St Peter's Church. She said: "Our family thank relatives and friends for their tributes, donations and wonderful support. Jim was a family man, a Jim'll-fix-it man, a lovely man and will be greatly missed. He died in the home he built 54 years ago and where we spent a wonderful life together ever since."