Staffordshire Moorlands District Councillors paid their respects to Biddulph town and district councillor and volunteering hero Hilda Sheldon MBE at a meeting yesterday evening.

Councillors met on Wednesday, 22nd June for a full council meeting, and the beginning of the meeting was reserved for a tribute to Cllr Sheldon.

We were saddened to report earlier this month how Cllr Sheldon had passed away at Knypersley Reservoir.

Since then, Biddulph came together to pay their respects, with hundreds of people sharing their memories and discussing her many years of work to improve the town.

At last night's meeting, a minute's silence was held in memory of Hilda, and several councillors also said a few words on their interactions with her, and her work as a councillor and volunteer.

Cllr Linda Malyon said: "Hilda was a lovely lady and I think we all respected her.

"She didn't complain, she just got on and did work for her community in Biddulph, so much so that she got an MBE for the work she did.

"She made a complete difference to the place she lived, and you can't say a bad word about Hilda.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw she passed away. It's such a loss to everybody and my thoughts go to her family."

Cllr Mike Gledhill talked about Hilda's work with the Moorlands Partnership Board.

He said: "I echo everything that's been said about Hilda being a lovely person. If you asked her how she was, she would quickly turn it to asking how you were. That says something about the generous spirit she had, especially when she was unwell herself.

"She was chair of the Moorlands Partnership Board, and I don't think we could've had a finer chair. The board is there to maintain and improve the heritage and environment of the Moorlands. She drove that committee for several years, and secured some fantastic grants which helped it to do exactly what it said on the tin.

"I think it will remain a legacy of Hilda's work for the council and communities for many years to come."

And council leader Paul Roberts added: "I feel very saddened for Biddulph because they've lost a very good worker. She was very inoffensive and didn't like confrontation or people falling out, and she used to quieten arguments down. I think Biddulph will be very lost without her.

"As councillors have said, she got an MBE for the work she did for Biddulph, and I think that proves what a lady she was. I'm very proud of her, and very sad that she has passed away."

Biddulph Town Council also paid their respects, lowering the town hall flag and opening a book of condolences in the Town Hall. People were also welcomed to leave floral tributes at the mining wheel outside the town hall.