Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to much-admired champion of the Andover arts scene, Madeline Edmonds, MBE who died last month.

Madeline was awarded an MBE in 2011 for 'Services to the Arts and the Community in the Test Valley'.  

Trustee for the Test Valley Arts Foundation (TVAF) Michael Johnson said: "She had an over-arching philosophy in life to 'get people to do things'. She sought to broaden wider opportunities for local people to engage and to thrive within the Test Valley and beyond.”

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(Image: Test Valley Arts Foundation) Born in 1932, Madeline was not a practicing artist but a great admirer of the arts and established the Andover Crisis Centre, chairing the Witness Support Service at Winchester Crown Court.

Michael added: “She had much wisdom and was transformational in her support for artists in the Test Valley and had an inextinguishable desire to improve access and participation for all people to experience the arts and culture.”

Madeline moved to the village of King's Somborne with her late husband Roger in 1996 and spearheaded the Arts Exhibition Committee, before chairing the newly formed Test Valley Arts Foundation. Michael explained: “Madeline was the greatest mover and shaker, by way of supporting a plethora of cultural development schemes, projects and initiatives.”

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Yinnon Ezra, chair of the TVAF, took over from Madeline and said: "She became the lead to the 'Leisure and Cultural Local Strategic Partnership' for Test Valley, and her biggest achievement was laying the essential foundations for the rescue of a redundant chapel; which today thrives as the Chapel Arts Studio, at St Mary's Church, Andover and promoting the role that art and culture could play in town centres in the Test Valley." 

In an emotional tribute, Michael paid thanks for Madeline’s legacy: “Her touch upon so many lives will continue to run deep and far beyond. Thank you Madeline, your kindness shines bright.”

A funeral service for Madeline Edmonds will be held at the Test Valley Crematorium on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 3pm.