Tributes for former mayor of Wycombe Margaret Draper

Tributes have been to Margaret Draper, the former mayor of Wycombe, following her death this week.

The Labour councillor was mayor of the town between 2004 and 2005, and her consort was her son Duncan, while her deputy mayor was Cllr Peter Morris, with his wife Susan as mayoress.

A former teacher, Margaret frequently attended school productions and one of her favourite events during her mayoralty was Wycombe High School’s production of Oliver.

This week, Wycombe’s current mayor Cllr Nathan Thomas was ‘saddened’ to hear of the Margaret’s passing.

A spokesperson for his office told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The Charter Trustees would like to thank Margaret for her service and time dedicated to the town. We would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the family at this time.”

As mayor, Margaret chose to support Home-Start Wycombe and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People for her Mayor’s appeal and raised over £14,000, which was split between the two charities.

She also managed 244 engagements during a year, which also included her son’s wedding and the arrival of her second grandchild.

Cllr Julia Wassell, knew Margaret well, having served as the former mayor’s campaign co-ordinator when she was elected in Micklefield.

She told the LDRS: “I regularly collected her from home and back during campaigning. For Margaret being elected and later becoming mayor was extremely important in her life. I was one of her fundraisers for her mayoralty year.

“It was also Olympics year. We had an alternative Olympics on the Rye which we all enjoyed. I would say that Margaret was one of the last of the real traditional Labour generation.”

Ex-mayor Nigel Vickery, who worked closely with Margaret while on the council, also paid tribute to the former mayor, who served as his deputy.

He told the LDRS: “As my deputy she was a great support to myself and my wife. Margaret was a very strong advocate for the Micklefield community. She made herself available to her constituents at all times.

“I remember she would tell people not to call her when the cricket was on the telly. She was a good friend with whom I have fond memories. I’m very sad for hearing the news she’s passed away.”

Another former Wycombe mayor, Trevor Snaith, also said he was ‘sorry’ to hear of Margaret has passed away.

He told the LDRS: “She was a good community councillor who truly cared about High Wycombe. My condolences to her family at this difficult time.”

Reflecting at the end of her mayoralty, Margaret explained at the time it was the ‘fastest year of her life’ and one she ‘would not have missed’.

She said: “When I moved to Wycombe 25 years ago and watched mayor making, I didn’t foresee the honour coming my way. It has been fantastic.”