Local group The Friends of Riverside Park has paid tribute to longstanding member and former chair Doug Perry, who has passed away aged 93.
Their tribute is reproduced in their own words below.
It is with great sadness that we have been informed that Doug Perry has passed away aged 93.
Doug was a longstanding member, and Chair for many years, of the Friends of Riverside Park (FoRP). Hugely influential in the many improvements to Riverside Park over the years his dedication and support will be sadly missed.
Doug lived virtually all his life in Oaktree Road, went to school in Manor Farm Road, started work as a telegraph boy at the post office and retired after 45yrs as a Chief Inspector. But it is for his absolute commitment to supporting his community that we will remember him.
Doug Perry photographed in 2016. Photo: bitternepark.info
He organised many Christmas parties for Post Office workers' children, was a Boys Brigade Officer (I remember him telling me off for having part of my uniform missing!), a Deacon at his local church for over 50yrs, and a magistrate for 25yrs. He was also for many years the chair of Southampton Evening Cricket League and President of the Sunday Football league.
Astonishingly he also found time to be a guiding light within FoRP. Hugely influential, it was during his time as Chair that the park was first awarded its green flag status, gained the funding for the multi use games area (MUGA), and the planting of new hedging in various areas. This amongst many other things. The pavilion in the park is named the Doug Perry Pavilion in his honour.
Doug Perry, front right, in 2022 at the Riverside Park pavilion naming ceremony. Photo/montage: bitternepark.info
Although I doubt he would have used the term himself Doug was the absolute definition of a community activist. Many people in the city as a whole, and Bitterne Park in particular, who perhaps never even knew Doug, will have benefited, and continue to benefit from his activities.
We will miss him.
RIP Doug Perry 1932-2025
• Doug also kindly took part in our own 'Bitterne Parker' interview series in 2016, which you can read here.