Betty bows out of parish role

Apr 18 2008 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

Betty bows out of parish role

A VILLAGE “matriarch” has retired from a parish council after 25 years in office.

Octogenarian Betty Williams was presented with flowers and a plate to commemorate over two decades of service with Helsby Parish Council.

Betty, who has twice been parish chair, said: “I shall miss it, the companionship especially, but obviously I shall read the notices and try and keep an eye on what’s going on and I will continue to be on the committee of the running of the community centre.”

Betty, 85, of Vicarage Lane, Helsby, has lived in the area for 40 years after moving from Kent with her husband and has four children and six grandchildren.

She said: “For me coming from a different area I was a complete stranger in a foreign land. Then I joined the Women’s Institute where I spread my wings and got involved in other things.

“My husband was a parish councillor before me. After he died in 1979 I had to sort myself out. I didn’t contemplate doing anything for a year or two and then saw a vacancy on the council and applied. I haven’t looked back.

“I joined as North Ward councillor and quickly got involved in various things. I’m proud of getting the children’s play area and helping the council become a quality parish councils.

“I also spent 15 years on Vale Royal Borough Council between 1984 and 1999.”

Betty was chair of the parish council in 1987 and 1993 and brought in the chairman’s badge of office which is still used today.

Chairman Stuart Hulse said: “Betty has for a number of years been the matriarch of the parish council and done a lot of good work for the village not only with the parish council also with her other interests. She will be sorely missed.”