Councillor Jenny Hyde’s memorial service took place on Friday, March 1st at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye. The church was filled with her close friends, family, and colleagues who gathered to share their fond memories of Cllr Hyde, pay tribute to her life, and say goodbye.

A tribute was made by Jenny’s daughter, Sarah Pochin, who said: “It couldn’t be more appropriate to have the memorial on March 1st, the first day of spring. Mum loved spring.”

Jenny was born and grew up in Lydbrook, and Sarah said how Jenny had often talked about the ‘idyllic’ and ‘magical’ childhood she had enjoyed there. Sarah described how Jenny had always had a strong interest in politics, and cared deeply about helping others.

She thanked everybody for their ‘heartfelt words, cards, letters, and flowers’, and talked about how much Jenny loved her friends. She said: “Mum cherished her friends, and loved going out in Ross-on-Wye.”

Sarah said that the common theme of all the memories people had shared about Jenny were that she was ‘hardworking, dedicated, and fun’.

Jenny’s love for wildlife and the season’s first flowers, like daffodils, was remembered with a reading of William Wordsworth’s poem, ‘Daffodils’, and her favourite hymn, ‘How Great Thou Art’, was the first to be sang. Sarah recalled how Jenny would always sing hymns around the house, and the other hymns chosen, ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’, ‘How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds,’ and ‘I Vow to Thee my Country’, were some others she especially loved.

The Chairman of Herefordshire Council, Brian Wilcox, a long-time colleague and personal friend of Jenny, also gave a tribute to her. He said: “Jenny was very dear to Herefordshire, and did so much for the county. She was no normal politician. Jenny never wanted to take the limelight or credit for anything, she just wanted to do things to actually get them done and help other people.”

Brian described the long friendship he had with Jenny, and the instrumental character she was.

MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, Jesse Norman and Councillor Harry Bramer, the Mayor of Ross-on-Wye attended the service.

Everyone who attended the memorial service were invited to join Jenny’s family for refreshments at The Royal Hotel in Ross-on-Wye.

Donations made in Jenny’s memory are being given to LATCCH, the Herefordshire 16+ Team Fund.