Judith Cunningham, the last ceremonial mayor of Bedford and former Wootton councillor has died.
She was a Liberal Democrat Bedford Borough Councillor for Wootton from 1996 to 2011 and the final ceremonial Mayor of Bedford in 2002.
Read: How the mayors of Bedford Borough have left their mark
The position was abolished following the introduction in some areas, including Bedford Borough, of directly-elected mayors with executive powers by the UK Government.
Speaking at this week’s full council meeting on Wednesday (9 October), Cllr David Sawyer (Liberal Democrats, De Parys) led the tributes to her with a speech at the opening of the meeting.
“Judith was Borough Councillor for Wootton for 15 years, from 1996–2011, 13 for the Council in its District mode, two years as a Unitary.
“She served on a wide range of committees, 11 in total, and a number of sub-groups. I’m not going to list them all, but Judith had a particular interest in committees and groups related to Environment.
“The pinnacle of her civic achievements was her appointment as Mayor for the 2002/03 municipal year. Judith took great pride in her work for the Borough, attending as many civic events as possible, accompanied by her husband Gordon, also a former councillor.
“Her duties extended beyond the Borough boundaries and she networked with other mayors across Bedfordshire, providing a sense of purpose for these important ceremonial positions.
“Her mayoral year was unique, the first half as the ceremonial mayor, the second half as the Borough’s first speaker, the year being divided by the election of the Borough’s first directly elected Mayor Frank Branston.
“Frank said at the time that Bedford had waited 800 years for a Jewish Mayor and then two came along.
“Judith also served on Wootton Parish Council, and the story goes that when she started, she was asked to make the tea. She said she was very happy to make the tea, but only as part of a rota, she didn’t want to be the permanent tea lady.
“So, the PC met without tea for a full year. Judith may not have been an ardent feminist by today’s standards, but she always stood up for equal rights.
“Judith had a real sense of community and commitment to residents, always responding with care and compassion to issues that were raised with her.
“Judith was also a very inclusive person, reflecting the Borough’s positive attitude towards minorities and special interest groups. She was also very sociable and had a keen sense of fun.
“For example, Judith and Gordon used to hold soirees just before Christmas each year and, in addition to her many Lib Dem friends and colleagues, she would invite others from across the political divides.
“I attended many of these, enjoying the welcoming atmosphere and her good cooking, and met fellow then cllrs Randolph Charles, Nicky Attenborough and John Mingay, whom I had only seen previously in the Town Hall or formal events.
“In closing, as I look around the chamber this evening, I know that we all aim to serve our residents to the best of our ability, and we all do it in different ways, taking account of our individual abilities and preferences.
“Judith did this in her way, and she leaves us with an excellent example that I am sure that we would all aspire to follow.
Cllr Christine McHugh (Liberal Democrats, Goldington) has also spoken fondly of her former council colleague.
“Judith and I were both first elected to the Borough Council in 1996. She was a one-off, fearless in standing up for those she represented and for what she believed, as well as being a lot of fun to work alongside,” she said.
