TRIBUTES poured in yesterday to one of Huddersfield’s “gentlemen”.

Almost 200 mourners packed into Waverley United Reform Church in Highfields for a thanksgiving service for Christopher Dicks.

The former newspaperman, who was managing director of the Examiner for many years, died in February at his daughter’s home in New Zealand.

A funeral service was held there but yesterday his family, friends and former colleagues gathered together to hear of his successes in business, in family life and in the community.

They were welcomed by his widow Susan Dicks and two of her three children, Stephanie and Robert. The couple’s other daughter, Charlotte, was unable to attend from New Zealand.

Mr Dicks, 77, of Almondbury, was honoured by the Queen in 1996 with the OBE for his work within the newspaper industry.

He had served as president of the Newspaper Society in its 150th year, in 1986, and was also chairman of the Press Association and National Council for the Training of Journalists.

He had joined the Huddersfield Daily Examiner in 1951 and worked as general manager and director before becoming managing director in 1974.

He retired in 1995 and then continued a busy life within the Huddersfield and Kirklees community, spearheading hugely-successful regeneration projects.

He was deputy chairman of Huddersfield Pride and also instrumental in the setting up the Engine for Growth project.

His daughter Stephanie said: “He loved the buzz of the newspaper industry but to him the Examiner was home.

“It was what he wanted it to be, a vital part of the community. He was very proud of the team he led at the Examiner”.

Susan Dicks talked of the charming man, the kind man and the caring man, and there were readings by her son Robert and her daughter-in-law Helen Dicks.

Edward Selby, a lifelong friend, recalled the days when a young Mr Dicks, fresh out of the RAF, was an integral part of the Highfields Players, a boisterous group of young men who set up a drama group.

“He was a steadying influence throughout the 50s and 60s. Christopher Dicks was well and truly a gentleman”.