Family seek recognition for Westbury’s first female mayor

The family of Westbury’s first female mayor are calling for formal recognition of her life and public service with a named room at The Laverton. 

Phyllis Florence Cundick MBE, widely known locally as ‘Mrs Westbury’, was the first woman elected to Westbury Urban District Council in 1954. She went on to serve as chair twice and later became the first chair of the newly formed Westbury Town Council in 1974. 

Her family say a proposal to rename the Community Room at The Laverton would be a fitting tribute to her long record of civic work and community involvement. 

A motion to rename the room was brought to a Full Council meeting in January by Cllr Jane Russ, but was not passed. The family say they now hope a revised proposal will be brought forward later this year. 

Phyllis’ son Malcolm said, “The naming of a room at The Laverton Institute, where she pursued many of her roles, is the latest and most appropriate recognition the family believes.” 

He said his mother’s work extended across the town, including founding the League of Friends of Westbury Hospital and serving as its secretary for 35 years. She also helped establish the Pensioners Club and held governor roles at Matravers School and Westbury Junior School. 

“She was also a magistrate in both the adult and youth courts held at The Laverton Institute,” he said. “Her responsibilities reached into every corner of the community, working with organisations that touched the lives of old and young.” 

Phyllis was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1975 and also received Westbury’s Civic Award for services to the town. She died in 2004 aged 92. 

In 2007, Westbury Town Council supported the idea of naming a street in her honour, although the proposal did not go ahead at the time. 

Daughter Kathryn added, “She was definitely a person to be remembered for all that she did for the Westbury community. It is far too long overdue, while others have superseded her in recognition.”