In May 2005, Councillor Judy Smith became the 34th Mayor of Bourne, an appointment that she regarded not only as an honour but also an achievement after many years of public service. “I enjoy trying to help people and to do my best for the town”, she said. “It is something I am greatly passionate about because it is the place I have lived in and loved since I was born.”

Judy Smith was a wartime baby, born at 19a Victoria Place on 13th February 1943, the second daughter of brewery worker Harry Rose and his wife and Lucy, attending the Abbey Road Primary and Bourne Grammar schools before enrolling at the Bourne Evening Institute for classes in shorthand, typing and book-keeping, subsequently doing secretarial work for several firms including the Mays Chemical Manure Company.

While at the grammar school, at the age of 14 and studying in the second form, she met John Annible Smith, a fellow pupil who was in the sixth form, and although mutually attracted and teased by her friends that she had a crush on him, courtship did not begin until several years later when their friendship was resumed at evening classes and over social drinks and they were eventually married at the Abbey Church in 1970. They set up home in Gladstone Street where they have lived ever since and where they will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in October 2005. They also have a son David, aged 30, a company executive at Walton on Thames, who is married to Helen, aged 34, and a grand-daughter, Isabella, born in April 2005.

John’s father ran the old established family business of John Smith of Bourne, dealing in groceries, wines and spirits, at No 25 North Street, and she joined the business and was soon busy serving, making up orders for delivery such as hampers and special gifts, especially at Christmas, and generally helping to improve trade. Soon after their marriage, John became active in local government and was one of the first members of Bourne Town Council when it was formed in 1974 and as a result, Judy became equally interested, particularly when he was elected mayor in 1978 and she became mayoress, attending many official functions during his year in office and meeting councillors from other local authorities. ”I felt rather in awe of everyone and was continually trying to work out who was who and which council they came from and what they were responsible for”, she said. “Then my son David encouraged me to become more active in council work and after retiring from the shop in 1999, I decided to give it a go.”

Judy stood for both the town council and South Kesteven District Council, winning a seat on the first but not the second, although she was successful at the next election four years later and has enjoyed her new role immensely, speaking out on many controversial issues. “I have seen many changes but firmly believe that you have to live for now and not for the past”, she said. “But we should also be prepared for the future because change is always with us and a town like Bourne needs new development to survive.”

She also has firm ideas on the mayoralty. “It is a link between the officialdom of the town council and its links between the district and county councils and the public”, she said. “People generally know who you are and by being out and about, at this function or that, available to meet and talk with them, you can take on board any problems they may have that come within our jurisdiction, taking action if possible and necessary and generally reassuring them that we will do our utmost to resolve any matters they bring up. We also have a duty to meet with other mayors at civic functions and to promote Bourne and its environs, to listen and to learn from the experiences of others and to give them the benefit of our own ideas. It is a demanding role but a most enjoyable one.”

Judy is also an active member of the Abbey Church where she and her husband are part of the ministry team, mandated in 2001 after a two-year course and admitted during a ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral. In addition, she plays an important role in the life of the community with varied involvement, notably the women’s section of the Royal British Legion, of which she is treasurer, the Friends of Butterfield, the day care centre for the elderly, of which she is secretary, and as a member of the Twinning Association for the past 15 years.

Music is also an abiding passion ever since she learned to play the piano as a girl and she and John enjoy sitting and listening to music, a diversion they regard as a welcome therapy from council work. She also spends much time tending the garden at their home in Gladstone Street and indulging in her main passion of cooking.

Her elevation to the mayoralty suggests that it is an achievement within the grasp of everyone if only they would become involved in public life. “It is an honour to be elected to the town council and I would encourage anyone who is interested in local affairs to have a go”, she said. “Today there are many people voicing their opinions, gaining much media space and airtime in whatever they believe, but ask them to join a committee or stand for the council and they are nowhere to be seen. We should always be ready to welcome new thoughts and ideas and persuade such people to become actively involved in our council and community. Elections for that would be an achievement. There are still people in the world who would envy our right to vote and it is so important that everyone uses this privilege for the good of their community.”

Her hope for the future is to see an even better Bourne. “That will require improvements to our infrastructure, facilities and services”, she said. “It is our privilege and our duty to welcome newcomers to our town and to incorporate all into the community. We are renowned for our schools and their high standards and we are acutely aware that Bourne is a pleasant place in which to reside. Long may this continue. When we look around our town we must feel how fortunate we are, but we should never be complacent. It is the duty of the town council to always look for improvements and to be pro-active in taking the initiative to deliver to the very best of our ability. We strive each day in the hope that we will not fail.”

Judy was devastated by the death of her husband, John, in April 2015 but decided to continue with her community work and as a town and district councillor and in April 2016 she was elected chairman of South Kesteven District Council where she had represented the Bourne East ward for almost 13 years.

“Before Christmas 2014, John said that he was stepping down from the council,” explained Judy. “I said that if he were stepping down then I would too because I wanted to be around to look after him but he insisted that I should remain saying that I enjoyed the work and would need something to do and so I followed his instructions."

A ROYAL MEETING

Judy Smith with her husband, Councillor John Smith, during his second term as Mayor of Bourne, meeting Princess Margaret at the opening of the Digby Court day care centre in May 1997.

See also

John Smith     Frank Rose     John Smith of Bourne     Hannah Smith

The Town Council     Past mayors of Bourne

REVISED APRIL 2016