A FORMER Mayor of Wokingham Town Council has passed away at the age of 84.

Ann Davis, who held the title twice in 1984/5 and 1995/6, died on Tuesday (4) at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

The mother-of-three set up Arthur Road Nursery School from her home in 1967, and ran it until 1976 when, as chairman of a Committee of Parents, she spearheaded the establishment of Meadow Nursery School in Murray Road which opened in 1978.

Ann was appointed a trustee of the nursery but retired in 2003 after serving for twenty-five years. During this time Ann became a member of the Pre-School Playgroups Association and established the Wokingham Branch.

She served on Wokingham Town Council for a total of twenty years from 1976 to 1996, playing an active role on a number of committees including chairing the planning committee and taking a keen interest in developments in the town.

In 1977, Ann returned to employment, first as hall manager of St. David’s Hall, Reading University, until 1982 and then as a practice manager working for medical practices in Windsor and Egham, obtaining her diploma in practice management from Cardiff University before retiring in 1994 at the age of sixty.

Whilst remaining as a Town Councillor, she established Wokingham Job Support Centre and also Wokingham Day Nursery to serve the local community, both of which are now firmly established in the town.

In November 1985 she organised Mayoral Centenary celebrations which saw the town taken back a hundred years to 1885 when the first mayor was elected. It was estimated that around 8,000 residents supported the event with many people dressed in the costume of that era, and she was presented with a Town Council plaque in recognition of her organisation of this event.

In 2002 Wokingham Town Council presented Ann with a Civic Award, recognising her efforts in supporting the community over many years. She was also presented with a Service to Sport Award in 1997 through her work with Wokingham District Sports Council and then in 2005 she received the Chairman’s Award in recognition of her support for Sport.

The current Town mayor, Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner said: "I was very sorry to hear that Ann had passed away and I send my condolences to her family on behalf of Wokingham Town Council.

"Ann was absolutely committed to our town of Wokinghamm which was demonstrated through the many areas of town life she was involved with; these included as a school governor, a member of The Wokingham Society and the Townswomen's Guild but we will remember her most as an active Town Councillor who also served as our Mayor on two occasions. She was an excellent ambassador for Wokingham and indeed travelled to Germany on one occasion to represent us.

"Even after retiring as a Councillor she still chose to attend meetings and regularly held us to account if she thought the Council was making a wrong decision! We seldom meet an individual such as Ann and sadly Wokingham has lost one of its most active and caring citizens."

Funeral arrangements are still to be confirmed and WTC will liaise with the family to respect their wishes. Town Clerk Jan Nowecki will hold details once these have been agreed 0118 978 3185 townclerk@wokingham-tc.gov.uk