Lynne was a true community champion and we are all devastated by her loss. Lynne actually represented everything that is best about local democracy where it genuinely works to the advantage of local residents.
We first met when Lynne and her husband Ian accepted an invitation to attend one of my regular tours of the Houses of Parliament back in 2007. From a fortnight later we were regularly in touch working to solve local problems that Lynne had identified in her Hatfield neighbourhood. But I quickly noticed that Lynne would not only raise issues with me, but would literally work alongside to get them resolved for everyone. So, when Lynne and Ian attended an event I was holding in Hatfield one evening, I saddled up to Lynne and asked her whether she might consider becoming a local Councillor. Lynne immediately said she was interested. And, the rest is history.
Serving twice as the Borough’s Mayor, Lynne got on brilliantly with everyone – regardless of their politics. She quickly had not only earned the respect of the whole council, but the wider community too. And Lynne was always someone who would get things done. From helping to move forward the improvements now becoming visible in Hatfield Town Centre, to working with numerous local charities including the new Hatfield Night Shelter and of course Isabel Hospice, where she spent her last day.
And I know that everyone who knew Lynne is quite simply devastated by her loss. She was someone that Welwyn Hatfield was fortunate to have both as Councillor and our Mayor. Our thoughts and prayers are with her very close-knit family. Our community will support them in the knowledge that we have all lost a true local champion who won the hearts and minds of everyone she met, with her mix of enormous empathy combined with an ability to simply get things done around here.