TRIBUTES have been paid to an award-winning Wyre Forest Labour stalwart who has died at the age of 86.

Party colleagues said Patricia Palmer, who died peacefully in hospital on January 26, would be deeply missed by everyone connected with Labour.

Mrs Palmer, a former editor on the Yorkshire Post, was first elected to Bewdley Town Council in 1985 and served for 16 years, alongside her beloved husband Frank.

Mrs Palmer became the town’s Mayor in 1991, making her Labour’s first civic leader in Bewdley despite the party being a minority on the council.

Whilst a councillor, she also served as an Officer of the National Association of Local Councils, which is an important body for authorities as they work to support, promote and improve them.

And she was an advocate of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and established a branch in Bewdley during her year as Mayor.

All her work was recognised in 2016 when she was presented with a National Merit Award from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and deputy and former Kidderminster schoolboy Tom Watson at the Party Conference in Liverpool. Mrs Palmer also addressed delegates at the event.

Wyre Forest Labour colleagues said she will be fondly remembered for being a stickler for the correct use of grammar, which came in handy for her role of composing, editing and proof-reading party leaflets.

They added she would also challenge fellow town councillors of all parties to correct their inappropriate use of the English language.

Away from politics, Mrs Palmer was fluent in French having spent several years working in the country when she was younger before returning to England and joining the Yorkshire Post.

She was also a keen walker, a hobby she enjoyed doing with her husband Frank who sadly died in 2016, and took part in the Coast to Coast path, The Pennine Way as well as long walks in Europe.

Stephen Brown, of Wyre Forest Labour, said: “I can speak for everyone in Wyre Forest Labour when I say her colleagues in the Party will all miss Patricia deeply.

“Our sincere condolences go out to her family and friends at this time of their loss. Patricia has made a massive contribution to the local Labour Party and community she served, and so we are very grateful to her for her contribution to both.

“However, we will also celebrate her life, a life she lived to the full. Patricia will be fondly remembered as the well-respected hard working Comrade she was, an activist who had a big influence in our great family that we call the Labour Movement.”