TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘loyal’ town councillor and former Mayor of Andover who “brought light to the lives of many people”.

Andover Town Council’s longest-serving member, Barbara Long, sadly died at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice on Saturday, May 21, aged 70 years, following a battle with ovarian cancer and with her husband Nigel by her side.

She was born on June 6 1951 and grew up in Blackley, Manchester. She attended teacher training college in Crewe, before moving to Andover in the 1970s to teach at Shepherds Spring School until it closed.

Through her involvement in allotments and the Garden Club, she met her first husband Mick, with whom she had a daughter, Becky, and a granddaughter.

Following Mick’s death, Barbara became involved with the Widowed and Young (WAY) foundation, which supports widows and widowers under 50.

There, she met Nigel, who had also lost his first wife. The pair were married in 2006.

Paying tribute to his late wife, Nigel Long said: “We have been overwhelmed really by how much love there is for Barbara and the support to our family, just walking around town over the past few days.

“Barbara was involved in so many groups over the years, she was always doing something. Not everybody was aware of just how much she really did for the town.

“[Her death] is going to leave a big hole in mine and Becky’s lives and we do not know how we will fill it at the moment.”

As well as serving as a town councillor for Andover St Mary’s ward, and as Mayor of Andover on two occasions, Barbara was involved in a host of community organisations and events.

To name but a few, over the years she was a trustee at the Abc preschool which she ran for many years; involved in the Andover Shilling Fair; ran painting and window display competitions; secretary of the Andover Gardening Club; Secretary of the Andover and Distrrict Bell Ringers; and treasurer of North West Hampshire Liberal Democrats.

She was also heavily involved in organising the town’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, and resumed the role in recent months to bring together the Platinum Jubilee weekend itinerary of events, working on the plans in the weeks and days before her death.

Following a referendum, Andover Town Council was established in 2010 and Nigel says that Barbara had her “arm twisted” to get involved.

“She managed to get elected, and I didn’t realise that I had an interest too!

“It was that that kept her going. When she got ill, I told her to step aside. Her body was letting her down, but there was nothing wrong with her brain, and she lived for her work in the community.”

Since the news of Barbara’s death was announced, tributes have flooded in from every corner of the community.

In a statement, Andover Town Council said: “Barbara was a much loved member of Andover Town Council, since it’s creation in 2010. She was its longest standing member.

“She worked tirelessly for the benefit of Andover and its residents and has been responsible for memorable events such as the 2012 Jubilee celebrations, The Shilling Fair and the Andover Christmas Lights, to name but a few. At the time of her death Barbara was working on delivering the 2022 Jubilee Celebrations to Andover.

“Barbara held the office of Town Mayor twice and was a strong and fair Chairperson. She ran the meetings with strength, purpose and empathy.

“She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and have had the privilege to have worked with her throughout her career both as a teacher and a Councillor.”

Fellow town councillor Luigi Gregori said: "Barbara was a hard working local councillor and campaigner who did much to improve the lot of Andover residents over the years, especially through her work with charities and community groups.

"Our thoughts go out to Nigel and Becky and other members of her family."

Borough councillor for the St Mary's ward, Cllr Iris Andersen, said it was "devastating news", adding: "I knew Barbara for many years, back when she was a school teacher, but since becoming a councillor for the past 11 years we have worked together on various things.

"She worked for the town, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for anybody. The town has lost a hardworking, loyal, good community councillor."

Current Mayor of Andover, Cllr David Coole, added: "I and everyone I have spoken to, are deeply saddened to hear of Barbara's passing and our thoughts are with her husband and family at this difficult time.

"Barbara battled so long and hard against her cancer and it is hard to believe her fight is over. No-one will dispute she was a force to be reckoned with and that her passion, determination and commitment towards Andover and the Town Council was unrivalled.

"She was a true inspiration for all who knew her. Barbara was twice elected as Town Mayor and did this with distinction, fairness and compassion.

"Although Barbara is no longer with us, she will live on in our memories and I for one will always be grateful for having the privilege of knowing her."

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Cllr Phil North, also paid tribute.

"Having served with Barbara on the Town Council in the early days, I have fond memories of working with her on the Christmas Lights and Diamond Jubilee sub committees. Where her drive, determination and hard work between meetings meant she became the natural leader of those groups.

"A decade later, she was working just as hard on the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It’s a sign of her kindness and strength of character that she was so closely involved in organising events that she knew she may not be able to see come to fruition but that other people would enjoy."

He added that "Barbara inherited the chairmanship of the town council at a particularly difficult time for the authority" but over the past year "worked hard to steady the ship".

He said: "Ultimately, Barbara was committed to making Andover a better place and I think too of her work organising the Shilling Fairs and the Pride of Andover Awards.

"I hope Nigel and the rest of her family will find comfort in the fact that she brought light to the lives of many people. Rest in peace, Barbara."