After 30 years as a Witham councillor, Helen Pitchforth is calling it a day - not that she's likely to be sitting back and putting her feet up though.

Doing nothing doesn't come easy to Mrs Pitchforth. If there's a problem or an issue needs tackling, she just can't help rolling up her sleeves and getting stuck in.

As a newcomer to Witham back in the 1950s, she was faced with a town undergoing some major changes.

The Greater London Council was developing big new housing estates in the town to accommodate the London overspill.

Mrs Pitchforth was concerned that the provision of amenities was not keeping pace with the mushrooming population.

"These big estates had no facilities or amenities like shops or community centres. It was all happening too much, too fast. I got quite het up about this and used to sound off at my husband.

He said 'do something about it'."

So she did and, in 1972, was elected to what was then the old Witham Urban Council, which, two years later, became part of Braintree District Council under local government reorganisation.

Throughout her time on the council she has been particularly concerned about the environment and conservation.

She played a particularly active role in planning and was planning committee chairman for eight years.

A widow since 1978, she has one daughter and two granddaughters and a wide range of interests to keep her busy.

Published Monday, June 9, 2003

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