On The Trail of the Lonesome Pines
Councillor Chris Pines Mayor of Winchester 2007 - 08
Christopher A Pines (Chris) was born in August 1944 in East Retford, Nottinghamshire and his mother’s maiden name was Mears.
Chris was educated at King Alfred College, and later became a teacher at Arlesford Primary School 1968-1972, where the Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth was among his pupils and later deputy headteacher at Winnall Primary School from 1972 to 2004. He also had a research year at Mongomery School, now King’s.
In 1980 Chris was elected onto Winchester City Council as a Labour Councillor representing the St John and All Saints Ward covering the Highcliffe and Winnall areas of the city.
Chris retired from teaching in 2004 aged 60 and realised it was time to retire when a four-year-old boy, looking around the school, announced that “Mr Pines taught my mum and my gran'."
He served for 27 unbroken years, becoming the City’s longest serving Councillor and in May 2007 aged 62 was elected in a packed Guildhall as the 808th Mayor of Winchester in a unique event. As the sole surviving Labour Councillor on the council following previous election defeats for his colleagues, he was proposed by the Conservative leader and seconded by a Liberal Democrat. He was the first Labour Mayor for nearly forty years, the last being in 1970.
His proposer said: "When I first took an active interest in politics, I couldn't ever have envisaged any circumstances in which I would propose any member of the Labour Party for anything, except possibly oblivion in the polls. Chris Pines is the only remaining representative of his party on the council, a lone but proud figure holding the red flag aloft, on the trail of the Lonesome Pines. I speak tonight for him because of his record of service for this city and district. That record is quite outstanding. It is an overwhelming qualification for him to be mayor."
Amongst Cllr Pines' achievements, were initiatives for play schemes in the 1970s, improved council play areas in the 1980s as well as campaigning for neighbourhood wardens and free access to museums.
He was seconded by Cllr Therese Evans, praised Chris’s escort for the year, Denise Baker, 79, Who she said “Will strike a first when she takes part in a parachute jump for charity later this year”.
Chris responded and said “I'm very honoured, it will be a challenge. What I want to do is represent the whole district, not just my ward of Winnall and Highcliffe. Though if Winnall and Highcliffe do get slightly more favour, I'm sure other people will understand!"
His four nominated charities were Age Concern; Young Carers;Friends of the Family and Youth Options and he announced the Mayor Winchester Award to recognise the unsung contribution that volunteers make to the quality of life of Winchester.
His year as Mayor was a success and he completed his term of office in May 2008
Chris was educated at King Alfred College, and later became a teacher at Arlesford Primary School 1968-1972, where the Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth was among his pupils and later deputy headteacher at Winnall Primary School from 1972 to 2004. He also had a research year at Mongomery School, now King’s.
In 1980 Chris was elected onto Winchester City Council as a Labour Councillor representing the St John and All Saints Ward covering the Highcliffe and Winnall areas of the city.
Chris retired from teaching in 2004 aged 60 and realised it was time to retire when a four-year-old boy, looking around the school, announced that “Mr Pines taught my mum and my gran'."
He served for 27 unbroken years, becoming the City’s longest serving Councillor and in May 2007 aged 62 was elected in a packed Guildhall as the 808th Mayor of Winchester in a unique event. As the sole surviving Labour Councillor on the council following previous election defeats for his colleagues, he was proposed by the Conservative leader and seconded by a Liberal Democrat. He was the first Labour Mayor for nearly forty years, the last being in 1970.
His proposer said: "When I first took an active interest in politics, I couldn't ever have envisaged any circumstances in which I would propose any member of the Labour Party for anything, except possibly oblivion in the polls. Chris Pines is the only remaining representative of his party on the council, a lone but proud figure holding the red flag aloft, on the trail of the Lonesome Pines. I speak tonight for him because of his record of service for this city and district. That record is quite outstanding. It is an overwhelming qualification for him to be mayor."
Amongst Cllr Pines' achievements, were initiatives for play schemes in the 1970s, improved council play areas in the 1980s as well as campaigning for neighbourhood wardens and free access to museums.
He was seconded by Cllr Therese Evans, praised Chris’s escort for the year, Denise Baker, 79, Who she said “Will strike a first when she takes part in a parachute jump for charity later this year”.
Chris responded and said “I'm very honoured, it will be a challenge. What I want to do is represent the whole district, not just my ward of Winnall and Highcliffe. Though if Winnall and Highcliffe do get slightly more favour, I'm sure other people will understand!"
His four nominated charities were Age Concern; Young Carers;Friends of the Family and Youth Options and he announced the Mayor Winchester Award to recognise the unsung contribution that volunteers make to the quality of life of Winchester.
His year as Mayor was a success and he completed his term of office in May 2008
Past Mayor of Winchester's Jewel
Chris served on the council for a further seven years until 2015, having served 35 years and retired at the local elections in May of that year aged 70. In April 2015 he had resigned as chairman of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee amid controversy over its watchdog role for the Silver Hill scheme. The body had also been accused of failing to hold city chiefs to account over River Park Leisure Centre, which campaigners claim had been unlawfully kept from public tender.
He said: “You get to a point where you have been there for a long time and you may well become part of the problem rather than part of the solution. With the best will in the world, one gets set in one’s ways. “You can get a mentality of ‘this is the Winchester way’ - that’s always a disaster.”
Chris vowed to continue campaigning for the party and pursue community projects and seems to have never married. He also acted as an independent election commissioner for the Winchester Muslim Cultural Association and was described by them as a source of guidance and inspiration.
He was described as a cheery character with wide ranging interests, having a large collection of porcelain and an expert on wild flowers, especially orchids.
On 29th November 2018, Chris suffered a serious incident in his home 4 Long Close, Lower Stanmore Lane, from which he appears to have recovered. He passed away at the Winchester Hospice after an 18-month battle with leukaemia, on Saturday 9th December 2023 aged 79. In accordance with his wishes there was no funeral service and he was cremated with his ashes scattered by family members.
He said: “You get to a point where you have been there for a long time and you may well become part of the problem rather than part of the solution. With the best will in the world, one gets set in one’s ways. “You can get a mentality of ‘this is the Winchester way’ - that’s always a disaster.”
Chris vowed to continue campaigning for the party and pursue community projects and seems to have never married. He also acted as an independent election commissioner for the Winchester Muslim Cultural Association and was described by them as a source of guidance and inspiration.
He was described as a cheery character with wide ranging interests, having a large collection of porcelain and an expert on wild flowers, especially orchids.
On 29th November 2018, Chris suffered a serious incident in his home 4 Long Close, Lower Stanmore Lane, from which he appears to have recovered. He passed away at the Winchester Hospice after an 18-month battle with leukaemia, on Saturday 9th December 2023 aged 79. In accordance with his wishes there was no funeral service and he was cremated with his ashes scattered by family members.
The Story The Past Mayors Jewel awarded to Chris Pines was seen on E-Bay on 10th March 2024 and of interest simply for what it was.
Before any bid was placed, a cursory search on google quickly revealed several newspaper articles about Chris’s life, including praise by actor Colin Firth a former a student of Chris's. All of which enabled a good biography to be compiled.
Because of the unusual back story and the fact he had literally only died three months before, negotiations with the seller enabled the jewel to be acquired.
It is now preserved for posterity and remembers a man who did so much for his party and Winchester over 35 years, suffering hugely in later life.
Before any bid was placed, a cursory search on google quickly revealed several newspaper articles about Chris’s life, including praise by actor Colin Firth a former a student of Chris's. All of which enabled a good biography to be compiled.
Because of the unusual back story and the fact he had literally only died three months before, negotiations with the seller enabled the jewel to be acquired.
It is now preserved for posterity and remembers a man who did so much for his party and Winchester over 35 years, suffering hugely in later life.
Click here to read about Chris's time teaching at Dean School, Arlesford
Medal Details:
- Past Mayors Jewel: Councillor Chris Pines Mayor of Winchester 2007/2008
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This page last updated 4 Jun 24
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