Tributes paid to former Cheltenham councillor

Tributes have been paid to a former councillor who has been described as "one of life's really good people".

Charmian Sheppard, who passed away at her home in February at the age of 77, served on Gloucestershire County Council for 20 years.

Ms Sheppard was the Liberal Democrat county councillor for St Peters.

Councillor Suzanne Williams, who led the tributes in the council chamber on 12 March, said that Ms Sheppard took "a lot of interest in education" during her time as a councillor.

She said although Ms Sheppard was a little older than her, they both attended Pate's Grammar School when it was a single-sex school, "with the boys educated far away on the other side of town.

"Charmian you are and will be missed," she added. "Thank you for being you."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said that Councillor Tim Harman also knew her well.

"She was one of life's really good people," he said.

"I know her contribution wasn't just as a councillor, it was much wider across the whole community with charity work."

Councillor David Willingham, who represents the same division that Ms Sheppard did, said she was a lot of help to him.

"I would really like to put on record my thanks for her support and the history of some of the decisions she was able to impart to me," he said.

He added that Ms Sheppard was able to get things done at the council even after she stood down as a councillor.

"That's obviously the measure of the person she was," he said.

Councillor Matt Babbage said he had met her many times over the years.

"I wanted to acknowledge the enormous amount Charmian did in the local community and say thank you to her," he said.

"She will be sorely missed."

Ms Sheppard's funeral will be held at midday on 24 March at Cheltenham Crematorium.

This will be followed by a wake at The Gloucester Old Spot.

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