Press Release

Friday 20th June 2008

Former Mayoress of Fareham, Mrs Margaret Jerrard

Former Mayoress of Fareham, Mrs Margaret Jerrard who died recently, was paid tribute for her services to the community at Fareham Borough Council’s Full Council meeting on Thursday 19 June.

Mrs Jerrard was Mayoress of Fareham when her husband, former Councillor Dr. Harold Jerrard (know has Jerry) became Mayor of Fareham in 1984/85.

Councillor and Mrs Jerrard were instrumental in the creation of the D-Day 40th anniversary memorial in Warsash, which was officially unveiled by Countess Mountbatten of Burma on 5 June 1984. The memorial at Warsash, which imitates the bow of a landing craft, is particularly appropriate as it commemorates the hundreds of British and Allied Naval Commando units who sailed from the Hamble River on the night of 5 June 1944 for the D-Day landings on the Normandy beaches.

In 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, Mrs Jerrard put together a book entitled ‘The Normandy D-Day Landings‘ which tells the story of how she met her husband; their experiences of the second world war; and how they were involved in Warsash’s D-Day memorial. Her memoirs include notes about how they moved to Warsash in 1970 and became involved in community affairs and how her husband was elected to Fareham Borough Council, “… a task he has steadfastly undertaken.” Jerry Jerrard was a councillor for 21 years, from 1973-1994.

In 2004, 20 years after being Mayoress of Fareham and the creation of the Warsash D-Day memorial, Mrs Jerrard worked closely with the council once again. This involved producing an interpretation board about the memorial and the D-Day landings; together with a plaque to commemorate the 60th anniversary, which were both unveiled by the Mayor of Fareham (2004/05) Councillor Marian Ellerton.

Margaret Jerrard was a well known and liked member of the Warsash community. She was involved with the Red Cross, taught the youngsters of Warsash first aid and spent several summers administering first aid to those in need on Hill Head beach.

In addition to her devotion to the Red Cross, Margaret developed a love for art. She was a distinguished amateur water colourist, who won prizes for her paintings at the ‘Couleurs De Bretagne’ art competition in Brittany, France. This was complemented by her involvement in the Fareham/Vannes Twinning Association, which she is said to have enjoyed.

Mrs Jerrard’s funeral will be held at St Mary’s Church, Warsash at 2pm on Friday 27 June. Donations to the Red Cross and Rowans Hospice.

Ends

For Further Information Contact:

Sue Mills, Publicity Officer, tel: 01329 824518

fax: 01329 821518, e-mail: publicity@fareham.gov.uk