A FORMER Petersfield mayor who helped steer significant changes to the town has died aged 92.
As town mayor a number of times after 1978, and chairman of East Hampshire District Council, and its planning committee, Beryl (Nickey) Edwards was involved in a number of major projects in Petersfield.
These included pushing for the A3 bypass – it replaced the old A3 Portsmouth to London main road that went through the town via Ramshill, College Street and Dragon Street, and along The Causeway.
She was chairman of the committee which approved plans for Rams Walk shopping mall, and the Herne Farm estate, and she was involved in developing Penns Place and the Taro Leisure Centre.
Beryl was instrumental in acquiring The Avenue playing fields for Petersfield Town Council, and opening the Physic Garden in High Street.
She and her husband, Peter, moved to Petersfield around 1962 when Peter was posted to the former HMS Mercury base at East Meon, and at first they lived in naval married quarters on Bell Hill.
They later moved to Heath Road, and finally to Moggs Mead on Herne Farm and settled there. Peter died four years ago.
Beryl, a life-long Conservative, was also on the committee of Hampshire Playing Fields Association, promoting sport for adults and children throughout the county.
Her son Richard said: “She was very pro-sport, and very active, a keen tennis player at Steep Tennis Club, and, until about three months ago she swam and exercised every day at the Taro Leisure Centre.
“When the Taro Leisure Centre was being built she made sure there was a swimming pool in it.
“And she was an enthusiastic supporter of the Petersfield Gym Club.
“At home she enjoyed gardening immensely and played bridge regularly.”
Beryl died on Friday, September 15, after a short illness, and she left her body to medical science.
She leaves three sons, Anthony, Richard and Martin, their wives, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. A memorial service for her at a later date, added Richard.