The Millennium Mayor
Councillor Margaret Mary Lilian Horbury Mayor of St Edmundsbury 1999-2000
The Woman Margaret Mary Lilian Clunie was born on Friday 1st February 1924 in Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland, daughter of David Don and and Anne Wright nee Stewart. She was one of three children, David born in 1919 and Jeannie Stewart 8th March 1926.
As a teenager she moved to Ipswich and in 1945 married Arthur Ellis Horbury, a Flight Lieutenant and postal worker, who she had met during the Second World War when they were both stationed in Alexandria, Margaret seemingly having served in the armed forces. Eventually they returned to Suffolk and settled in Great Barton, having two daughters, Patricia June (Patsy) born in 1948 and Margaret Jean (Jean)1957.
In the 1960s Margaret lived with Arthur and daughters at 142 Vaughan Road Harrow, Middlesex and later at Walnut Tree Cottage, East Barton Road, Great Barton, Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk.
Sadly, Arthur died prematurely on 4th March 1988 aged 67 and following his death, Margaret became involved with the local Conservative Party and in 1989 was elected to St Edmundsbury Council as a Councillor representing Great Barton Ward. Having served for 10 years and being re-elected at two further local elections, she was made Mayor for the municipal year of 1999-2000 and dubbed ‘The Suffolk Borough’s Millennium Mayor’.
Margaret proudly discharged her duties as Mayor and continued serving on the council. Tragically, in 2005 she was diagnosed with a form of Parkinson’s disease, but continued with council business until early 2007, when she became unable to do so. She was awarded a long service award by the Borough Council in November recognising her 18 years as a Councillor, but sadly died a few weeks later, on 1st December 2007 aged 83, losing her battle with Parkinsons.
On 11th December the Borough Councillors stood in silence in her memory and fellow political figures told of her forthright belief in doing good deeds for others. Her daughter, Jean, said: “When she was fit and healthy, she would go out and help others. She loved people and she loved life. She was a battler and she made everyone laugh.”
Council leader John Griffiths said: “Margaret was a wonderful lady and a dedicated councillor who devoted most of her time to serving other people. She will be very sadly missed and fondly remembered.”
Margaret Charlesworth, the Mayor, said: “Margaret was a highly dedicated councillor who committed 18 years of her life to serving the people of the borough. As mayor, Margaret was immensely proud to serve the borough during the Millennium year and always acted as a great ambassador for St Edmundsbury throughout her time as a councillor.”
Margaret’s funeral took place at the Parish Church of Holy Innocents in Great Barton on Tuesday 11th December at 1pm followed by her cremation.
As a teenager she moved to Ipswich and in 1945 married Arthur Ellis Horbury, a Flight Lieutenant and postal worker, who she had met during the Second World War when they were both stationed in Alexandria, Margaret seemingly having served in the armed forces. Eventually they returned to Suffolk and settled in Great Barton, having two daughters, Patricia June (Patsy) born in 1948 and Margaret Jean (Jean)1957.
In the 1960s Margaret lived with Arthur and daughters at 142 Vaughan Road Harrow, Middlesex and later at Walnut Tree Cottage, East Barton Road, Great Barton, Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk.
Sadly, Arthur died prematurely on 4th March 1988 aged 67 and following his death, Margaret became involved with the local Conservative Party and in 1989 was elected to St Edmundsbury Council as a Councillor representing Great Barton Ward. Having served for 10 years and being re-elected at two further local elections, she was made Mayor for the municipal year of 1999-2000 and dubbed ‘The Suffolk Borough’s Millennium Mayor’.
Margaret proudly discharged her duties as Mayor and continued serving on the council. Tragically, in 2005 she was diagnosed with a form of Parkinson’s disease, but continued with council business until early 2007, when she became unable to do so. She was awarded a long service award by the Borough Council in November recognising her 18 years as a Councillor, but sadly died a few weeks later, on 1st December 2007 aged 83, losing her battle with Parkinsons.
On 11th December the Borough Councillors stood in silence in her memory and fellow political figures told of her forthright belief in doing good deeds for others. Her daughter, Jean, said: “When she was fit and healthy, she would go out and help others. She loved people and she loved life. She was a battler and she made everyone laugh.”
Council leader John Griffiths said: “Margaret was a wonderful lady and a dedicated councillor who devoted most of her time to serving other people. She will be very sadly missed and fondly remembered.”
Margaret Charlesworth, the Mayor, said: “Margaret was a highly dedicated councillor who committed 18 years of her life to serving the people of the borough. As mayor, Margaret was immensely proud to serve the borough during the Millennium year and always acted as a great ambassador for St Edmundsbury throughout her time as a councillor.”
Margaret’s funeral took place at the Parish Church of Holy Innocents in Great Barton on Tuesday 11th December at 1pm followed by her cremation.
The Story The Past Mayor’s Jewel presented to Margaret Mary Lilian Horbury was acquired from Malvern Flea Market on Monday 30th August 2021.
Reminiscent of the ‘good old days’ of collecting, it was found in a cardboard box full of junk the front of a dealer’s stall. It was located purely by accident when the small jewellery case it was in was opened to check the contents.
To describe the sense of excitement at finding it in this manner is difficult and as soon as it was seen, the desire to become its custodian was overwhelming! One cannot help thinking there was an element of ‘divine intervention’?
Following some negotiation with the dealer the Jewel was taken into safe custody and the usual process of research began.
Firstly, Margaret’s name was googled and a direct hit confirmed she was a Past Mayor of St Edmundsbury Borough Council in West Suffolk. The name being taken from the name of the town Bury St Edmunds. Ancestry.UK and Scotland’s People provided the initial detail, including photographs of Margaret, in early and later life. This was followed by contact with West Suffolk District Council – the successor local authority to St Edmundsbury, they sadly being unable to provide any further detail.
The East Anglian Daily Times also yielded her obituary, revealing more information, including the fact her husband Arthur had been a Flight Lieutenant in World War II, enabling his biography to be pieced together too.
A great result from rooting through junk, preserving a lady’s memory who served during World War II and latterly her community for many years and of her husband, also served during World War II.
Reminiscent of the ‘good old days’ of collecting, it was found in a cardboard box full of junk the front of a dealer’s stall. It was located purely by accident when the small jewellery case it was in was opened to check the contents.
To describe the sense of excitement at finding it in this manner is difficult and as soon as it was seen, the desire to become its custodian was overwhelming! One cannot help thinking there was an element of ‘divine intervention’?
Following some negotiation with the dealer the Jewel was taken into safe custody and the usual process of research began.
Firstly, Margaret’s name was googled and a direct hit confirmed she was a Past Mayor of St Edmundsbury Borough Council in West Suffolk. The name being taken from the name of the town Bury St Edmunds. Ancestry.UK and Scotland’s People provided the initial detail, including photographs of Margaret, in early and later life. This was followed by contact with West Suffolk District Council – the successor local authority to St Edmundsbury, they sadly being unable to provide any further detail.
The East Anglian Daily Times also yielded her obituary, revealing more information, including the fact her husband Arthur had been a Flight Lieutenant in World War II, enabling his biography to be pieced together too.
A great result from rooting through junk, preserving a lady’s memory who served during World War II and latterly her community for many years and of her husband, also served during World War II.
Medal Details:
- Past Mayors Jewel: Cllr. MARGARET. M.L.HORBURY MAYOR 1999-2000
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This page last updated 8 Oct 21
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