Lasting tribute to Maureen

10:10am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A NEW housing block named in memory of a former Wyre Forest district councillor has been officially opened in Kidderminster.

Maureen Aston Court, in Broad Street, is the Community Housing Group’s latest homes development and was opened by Liberal Wyre Forest councillor, Fran Oborski.

Mrs Aston’s widower, Conservative Wyre Forest councillor, John Aston, attended the unveiling of the block of 22 flats with fellow board members and her ex-colleagues.

Mrs Aston joined the council in 1964 and by 2001 became cabinet member for housing and rural affairs.

The district councillor for Aggborough and Spennells also served as a board member with the housing group from 2002 to 2003. She died in 2005, aged 62, after slipping into a coma following a fall.

Mr Aston, who won his wife’s seat in the by-election following her death, said: “It’s been a long time coming, as there has been a lot of negotiation.

“It was originally going to be in Cookley but I wanted her name to be remembered in the town that she worked in.

“I’m delighted and very proud to think that the flats will stand there for all time. I’m very pleased that we have managed to do it.

“It’s a lovely new building and housing was Maureen’s thing. I’m pleased with the look and the way the ceremony went.”

Ray Brookes, the housing group’s chief executive, said: “We are very pleased to be able to honour Maureen Aston in this way.

“We are particularly proud of this block and the way it will contribute towards the rejuvenation of the Horsefair – one of the gateways to Kidderminster town.

“It forms part of our long-term goal to increase homes in the district by 390 over the next four years.”