TRIBUTES have been paid to a former town mayor described as a ‘pocket rocket’.

Joyce Lavender, 81, served the Branksome West area as a councillor from 2003 to 2011, taking a break only to become Sheriff and then wore the Mayoral chains in Poole from 2008/2009, during which time she gave her backing to, and attended, around 500 events during her year in office

Mrs Lavender was a member of St Aldhelm’s Church and she was a governor for Bishop Aldhelm’s CE Primary School in Winston Avenue in Branksome.

A funeral to celebrate her life will take place today at St Aldhelm’s Church in Branksome at 2.45pm followed by a committal at Poole Crematorium, with donations going to the Alzheimers Society, following her death on December 29.

Former leader of Borough of Poole, Elaine Atkinson, said: “She was so generous and giving and devoted to helping others. Joyce was such a fantastic councillor and an absolutely wonderful woman.

“We had a nickname for her, which was the ‘Pocket Rocket’ because she was quite short, but she’d go around everywhere on a bicycle.

“She was one of the first people in Poole to be part of the walking bus with St Aldhelm’s Primary School, and she was a fantastic community-led person. She loved the children and they loved her.”

Mrs Lavender’s husband Denys, who worked as a chartered accountant, died following a short illness aged 82 on November 27, 2008 during his wife’s year in office.

The couple, who remained avid Arsenal supporters despite living in Poole for most of their lives, had been married for more than 50 years when Denys died and they are survived by their daughter Cheryl.

Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, said: “Joyce was the most wonderfully energetic and optimistic person one could meet.

“She was so welcoming and supportive when I was first elected. I will never forget visiting the-then St Aldhelm’s Primary school when this tiny lady was surrounded by the children who clearly adored her and then speak to the staff who were intimidated by her redoubtable and formidable presence. Above all she loved her local area and took great joy in serving them.”

Branksome resident and former magistrate, Colin Jones, said that he had known Joyce for between 15 and 20 years. He said: “I had given her the nickname of the pocket rocket, which many people used for her, and at the inauguration of her becoming mayor, Peter Adams referred to it in his speech.

“She was a patient and very kind lady, who was supportive of many fundraising initiatives.”