Tributes paid to traveller

TRIBUTES have been paid today to a member of Suffolk's travelling community who died on Monday following a road accident last month.

Peter Chapman, who lived at a travellers' site in Bromeswell, lost control of his Suzuki motorbike on Hollesley Road, Hollesley, on Saturday March 31 and smashed into a tree.

He suffered massive head injuries and died at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridgeshire on Monday.

Today friends at the site described Peter, affectionately known as Rabbit, as a warm and kind-hearted man who was a keen cook and enjoyed backgammon.

He had moved into the travelling community some years ago having been brought up in Leicester.

Close friend Steve said: “He was called Rabbit because he talked so much.

“He was a beautiful man and it is so sad he is gone.”

Another friend, 43-year-old Mags Ryan, said: “He was loved by everyone.

“My endearing memory will be of his love for food.

“Whenever he was around you knew you would eat well because he made such great meals.

Faye Kelly, 32, said: “Nobody could say anything wrong about him.

“He just made a silly mistake.

“It was the first time he had been out on his bike for a long time.

“He had just managed to get it up and running and wanted to take it out for a spin.”

Mr Chapman's death is the second tragedy to hit the Bromeswell travelling community in less than a year.

In April 2006 28-year-old Kelly Baker died following a crash in a four-wheel-drive vehicle on the edge of Rendlesham Forest.

The vehicle overturned and four passengers suffered back injuries.

Miss Baker was pronounced dead on arrival at Ipswich Hospital.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen Mr Chapman's bike prior to the collision or witnessed the collision itself to contact Pc Mel Savage at police headquarters roads policing unit on 01473 613500.