Family’s dismay over decision not to honour town’s first female mayor

The family of Westbury’s first female mayor have shared their disappointment over the town council’s decision not to name a room at The Laverton after her.

Phyllis Florence Cundick MBE JP, widely known locally as ‘Mrs Westbury’, was elected to Westbury Urban District Council in 1954 and was the first chair of the newly formed Westbury Town Council in 1974. She died in 2004 aged 92.

Councillors decided against naming the room after Phyllis at a full council meeting in September, citing concerns that it could set a precedent for similar requests.

Residents reacted to the decision following a White Horse News report, with many criticising the council’s decision on social media.

Phyllis’ son Malcolm Cundick has written to the town council outlining his family’s ‘dismay’ and calling for his mother to be formally recognised.

In his letter, Malcolm wrote, “The public dismay recorded in responses to the article in the White Horse News earlier this month speaks volumes, reflecting the respect and affection many of the local community have for the memory of ‘Mrs Westbury’.

“Again councillors have justified their decision by “not wishing to set a precedent”. This bears scant credibility. There are in fact a minimum of six places (streets, roads, a park) in Westbury which celebrate the names of former councillors, a Town Clerk, business entrepreneur and a head teacher.

“Mum’s service to the town was much much more than as a councillor, and had much of its heart in the Laverton Institute, both in her role as an Urban, Town and County Councillor, as a Magistrate in both adult and juvenile courts, and as a founding spearhead of the Laverton Housing Trust.

Malcolm said the family has been trying to secure a lasting tribute to Phyllis for a number of years, including plans to name a street after her and a blue plaque at The Laverton. The 2007 street-naming proposal was supported by the town council but did not go ahead, while later suggestions were also not pursued.

“Councillors need to be persuaded by public response that democratic decisions should best reflect community need and opinion,” he added.

Margaret Hart, secretary of the Laverton Housing Trust, has also written in support of naming a room after Phyllis.

In her letter, Margaret wrote, “Why shouldn’t a room be named after her, after all she did for Westbury, and much of it voluntarily?

“Westbury Town Council say they don’t want to set a precedent – we already have.”

She also pointed to other places in Westbury named after notable local people, including Ingram Place, Vivash Park, Hayward Place, Phipps Close, Lopes Way and Gilhespy Way.

“Do the council not appreciate how much this lady did for the town!” she added.

Pictured: Phyliss Cundick