TRIBUTES have been paid to a prominent Kilbirnie Labour party stalwart following his death aged 84 after a long period of ill health.

Tom Dickie was a councillor on Cunninghame District Council and North Ayrshire Council for the best part of 30 years, eventually serving as Convener – the authority’s equivalent of today’s Provost.

The charismatic, larger-than-life figure was well known in the town and highly respected by both political allies and foes in equal measure.

His long time close friend ex-Provost Sam Gooding visited him in hospital frequently during his illness.

Sam said: “Tom was the sort of man who liked to get things done.

“Improvements to the council housing in North Ayrshire were thanks to Tom Dickie. His favourite expression was ‘let’s go with it’ when talking things out with colleagues.

“He had his critics and didn’t get on with everyone politically, even inside his own party, but he commanded respect from everyone all over Scotland.” Tom was a personnel officer at the Glengarnock steelworks and led marches to save the plant from closure in the 80s.

He served as Ayrshire representative on the Association of Direct Labour Organisations (ADLO) and eventually was elected Scottish and UK chairman.

Throughout this period and after his retirement from the council, Tom’s passion was the day to day running of Kilbirnie’s two Labour Clubs as membership secretary and he, along with club chairman, Jimmy Jennings and manager John Steven, formed a formidable trio at the heart of the community always ready to lend a hand to local organisations and individuals in need.

Former leader David O’Neill said: “Tom was one of our longest serving councillors and a huge influence on myself and others coming through the ranks.  “I was the second youngest councillor when I was first elected and Tom was a great help to me, giving me advise and preparing me for life in local politics.  “Tom was not only a good colleague and an excellent political ally but someone who was respected across the political spectrum  “He served his community passionately and did an awful lot internally at the council as well. He was involved in a number of committees and, for example, played a major role in the overhaul of the housing service.  “We have a lot to thank him for and I am extremely grateful for everything he did for me. He will be sorely missed.” Katy Clark MP said: “Tom Dickie was a central figure in the Garnock Valley Labour Club and the Labour Party in Kilbirnie for many years and I was greatly saddened by his death last year.

“He hasn’t been able to be as active over the last few years for health reasons but he was always a good and loyal friend.

“I first met Tom in 2004 during my selection campaign. He had a huge talent for putting people at ease but at the same time was precise in what he expected.

“He used this talent to sort out many a heated discussion and resolve issues to keep things running smoothly for the benefit of the Garnock Labour Club with  remarkable success.  “Tom was a tremendous  support on my election with local knowledge and an insight into historic issues.  “The Burns suppers he arranged were legendary, and for many years he was one of the main figures who organised events week in week out at the club. The community of Kilbirnie and all who knew him are poorer for his loss” Ex-Cunninghame North MSP Allan Wilson also paid tribute to Tom. He said: “Tom Dickie like many of his contemporaries was a product of the steelworks in Glengarnock, in his case the ‘girder shop’.

“Like the girders they fashioned, the men who braved this often dangerous and hostile environment were made of stern stuff and Tom soon emerged as a strong willed representative of those who worked and lived locally.

“Tom was a terrific sounding board for me as MSP and Minister on local opinion and always ensured that the interests and values of the town’s predominately working class community were never far from my mind when chamber debates merited my intervention.

“Tom was an integral part of a generation that helped build our town and fashion a caring and compassionate community that looked after the least fortunate in our midst and his passing leaves a void in the community that will be hard to fill.

Ex-MP Brian Wilson said: “Tom Dickie was a devoted representative of the Kilbirnie community for many years and a loyal upholder of Labour values.

“He was a man of great dignity and common sense who was unfailingly helpful to me during my time as MP for Cunninghame North.

“When I was selected as candidate, Tom was one of my short-listed opponents for the nomination. He would have made an excellent MP. But from the moment the outcome was determined, he offered nothing but encouragement, friendship and support in the best traditions of Labour solidarity.  “He was motivated at all times by the best interests of the people he represented and of the Labour Party. I am sorry to hear of his passing and have only good memories of him as a colleague and friend.” Willie Gibson, leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “I didn’t know Tom well personally, but his lengthy career as a councillor with both Cunninghame District and North Ayrshire speaks of a man totally committed to his local community.  “To serve for three decades is hugely impressive. We can’t underestimate how much time, dedication and commitment that must have taken up.  “I know he was involved in a number of council services and was an excellent ambassador for North Ayrshire during his four years as the Convenor of the council.  “This is a sad time for Tom’s family and friends.  My thoughts are with them just now and I’m sure that will be echoed by all the political rivals and allies he made over his long and prestigious career.”