Margaret Featherstone

Margaret Featherstone

It is with deepest regret that we inform you that Margaret Featherstone, who was the Liberal Democrat County Councillor for the North East division of Maidstone, died on 18 April in Guys Hospital in London.

Margaret with her husband John was involved locally with the Liberals and Liberal Democrats for over 30 years. Professionally, before retiring, Margaret specialised and advised in care for children, particularly the early years.

Margaret retired in 1993 and was elected to the County Council in that year.

As a Councillor she specialised in Care for Children, especially early years, and also care for the vulnerable elderly. She chaired a number of committees and a select Committee dealing with these issues. Her knowledge and skills were recognised and respected by Councillors from all parties.

Margaret was also a Governor of Vinters Girls' School and Chairman of the Board of Governors at the newly formed Valley Park School which combined Vinters Girls School with Vinters Boys School. She later helped integrate the Invicta Grammar School and Valley Park School into a confederation working together for the benefit of both schools.

She was also Chairman of the Howard de Walden Charity.

As a local County Councillor she helped many local residents and her understanding of local issues and ability to resolve difficult problems was appreciated by many.

Margaret will be sadly missed.

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Tributes

"I count it a privilege to have enjoyed the comradeship and a close working relationship with Margaret during my past six years at County Hall. Her dedication and in-depth knowledge of the subjects in which she specialized were inspirational to all who had contact with her. She was passionate in her pursuit of 'making life better for all' - whether that was in the physical sense of well-being or in the more natural sense of improving and maintaining the wonderful natural world which she adored."

Dan Daley - County Councillor for Maidstone Central

"I send my sincerest condolences to John on the sad loss of Margaret.

Margaret was inspirational in the field of Early Years development and that was how I met her. As the former PPC for Canterbury Margaret made every effort to brief me on the issues and on the LibDem vision in Kent for Early Years.

Margaret will be a great loss to the Party but her legacy of tireless campaigning and working with her community will never be forgotten."

Jenny Barnard-Langston

"Margaret (and John) was an active and enthusiastic member of Maidstone Liberal Democrats for over 40 years. During that time Margaret has worked tirelessly to improve the life of Maidstone residents in various ways.

She was a member of the PPC Selection panel for the 2003 General Election and, until ill health prevented her, she served on the panel that finally selected Rebecca Hunt to stand for the next General Election. Margaret was a conscientious member of the panel and always paid attention to detail. The garden that was Margaret's pride and joy was used over many years for Liberal Democrat barbecues. We all have very fond memories of these occasions.

Our thoughts are with John at this very difficult time.

Margaret will be sadly missed."

Rochelle Harris - Chairman and PPC Selection Committee Chair