Deaths of former councillors announced

Ashford Borough Council is saddened to learn of the deaths of former councillors Harold Hilder and Derek Smyth.  

Harold served as an Ashford Borough Council member for the Smarden (including Egerton) ward from 1977 to 1991. He held many senior committee positions and represented the authority on a number of external bodies such as the Hothfield Common Advisory Committee, Project Ashford and the Shepway Computer Liaison Group.

Throughout Harold’s last term, he was appointed to deputy leader of the council from 1987 to 1990. He was elected to leader from 1990 to 1991. During his final year of service in 1991 he was involved with 23 committees, sub committees and task groups.

In 2019 Harold was appointed as an Honorary Alderman for his service to the borough.

In accordance with his wishes, his body had been donated for medical research so there will not be a traditional funeral for people to attend. His family has organised a celebratory event on what would have been Harold’s 100^th birthday – Sunday 12 November from 2.30-4.30pm at Smarden Charter Hall. Anyone interested is welcome to attend, RSVP to tessahilder@btinternet.com

Former Kent County Council member Derek Smyth served as the KCC member for Ashford South from 1998 to 2009, and again from 2013 to 2017.

Photo caption: Harold Hilder appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2019 with then Mayor Cllr Jenny Webb