THE daughter of a former mayor of Knutsford has paid tribute to her mother’s involvement in the town’s civic life.

Beth Page, from Knutsford, died on Monday, July 7, at Macclesfield Hospital at the age of 86.

She leaves four children, Penny and Anthea, who live in Macclesfield, and Richard and Jonathan, from Mobberley.

“Family was everything to mum, and the feeling that you should do something worthwhile,” said Penny Whitney, Beth’s elder daughter.

“She was a great worker for various charities, and was quite involved with the East Cheshire Hospice. She also collected for the British Legion poppy fund and did envelope collections for the NSPCC and RNLI.”

Beth had been a member of the Conservative Association for many years, and once her children grew up got more involved in local politics, being elected as councillor in south ward in Knutsford in the 1970s.

She was town mayor twice, was involved with a number of associated organisations, as well as the Britain in Bloom competition.

She was also chairman of Knutsford Ladies’ Conservative Association, and served on its committees.

Education and literacy were among her many interests, and she was a governor at Knutsford High School and for many years the chairman of governors at Bexton Primary School.

“Beth became a member of Knutsford Golf club in 1967, and was lady captain in 1985,” said Penny.

“Her handicap never changed – her proud boast was that her handicap was not being able to hit the ball! She also played Bridge.

“In 1997 my dad Douglas, who died in 2002, was made mayor of Macclesfield, and mum threw herself into the supporting role of mayoress.

“They visited every primary school in the borough to show the children the mayoral chain and the meaning of the civic regalia.”

Beth had four grandsons and four granddaughters as well as five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.

Beth spent her early life in Cropwell Butler, Nottinghamshire, where her father was the village baker.

After World War II she moved to London, where she met Douglas, and they were married in 1947, moving to the newly-built Holford Crescent in Knutsford in 1953.

Beth’s funeral takes place today, Wednesday, July 16, at Toft Church, at 2.30pm.