A MAN who wrote a number of books about the history of Pickering and surrounding area has died, aged 88.

Keith Snowden lived in the town all of his life and was a well-known figure in the community.

An insurance sales man for almost 40 years, Mr Snowden served as a town councillor and was chairman of the former Pickering Urban District Council, as well as serving as mayor twice.

When he retired in 1986, aged 60, he had planned to spend his time travelling, but instead he turned to his former love of writing. Mr Snowden’s works were mainly historical and included stories of Pickering, Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Malton, Norton, Thornton-le-Dale and Scarborough.

He also produced a number of films of events in the area, including the crowning of the carnival queen in Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation year and traction engine races.

Ian Lewis, a friend of Mr Snowden, said he had been a man of strong Liberal principles and was the great-grandson of Councillor John Snowden, who laid the foundation stone at Pickering Liberal Club in 1908.

“He was a local personality who thought a lot about Pickering and developing interest in the area for local people,” he said.

Andrew Husband, clerk of Pickering Town Council, said Mr Snowden had also been chairman and administrator of the Annie Amelia Naylor Charity for many years. “The charity was established by a local woman to help people who lived, and live, in necessitous circumstances in Pickering.

“His local knowledge and his sensitivity to people’s pride meant that the charity was able to help many people,” he said.

Mr Snowden’s funeral service was held today at the Friends’ Meeting House, Pickering.