Town council tribute to former Littlehampton mayor Stan

Mr Gamble, who was mayor for 1983-84, had been ill for some time and died in Worthing Hospital on June 12.

A minute’s silence was observed at Littlehampton Town Council’s meeting on Thursday evening.

In the same council chamber 30 years earlier, Mr Gamble was elected town mayor, 24 years after moving to Littlehampton from Worthing, where he was born.

He had a busy working life, as a chimney sweep and shopkeeper, but was very active in the community, too.

He was a Conservative councillor on both the town council and Arun District Council from 1979-95 and also served on West Sussex County Council.

With his late wife Rosemary, who died eight years ago, he was a leading figure with the Red Cross in Littlehampton for many years, including 15 years as organiser of the centre.

During the Second World War, Mr Gamble served in the RAF and he was a life member and committee member of the Littlehampton and District branch of the RAF Association, and president and vice-chairman of the town’s Royal British Legion branch.

He was also a school governor, member of the Crime Prevention Panel, member of the Littlehampton RNLI branch and steering committee mmeber of the Arun Dolphins swimming club for the disabled.

For a number of years, before retiring, Mr and Mrs Gamble ran the Gloucester Market corner shop in Gloucester Place, Littlehampton.

A friend, who asked not to be named, said: “Stan got on with everybody and was a very friendly man.

“He was generous to people and would do anything for anybody, that was his nature.

“He and Rosemary were very public-spirited, organising events for charity.”

Mr Gamble, who lived near the town centre, leaves a daughter, Linda, and two grandsons, living in Australia.

A private cremation was due to take place at Worthing Crematorium, with donations requested for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.