TRIBUTES have been paid after the “untimely passing” of the chair of Nailsea Town Council, councillor Anita Millward Smith.

The councillor passed away on Friday, August 9, after a brief battle with cancer, the council said.

A message from the authority read: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the untimely passing of Councillor Anita Smith, chair of Nailsea Town Council.

“Anita passed away in the morning of Friday, August 9, after a brief battle with cancer.

“Anita was a kind and generous person, with a wicked sense of humour.

“She will be greatly missed by the councillors and council staff, who have had the pleasure in working with her.

“On behalf of the town council, we would like to extend our thoughts and deepest condolences to Anita’s family and friends.

“Anita was born on 26th September 1961 at Moseley in the West Midlands to Sheila and Brian Millward - some of you will remember Brian from his time as a Nailsea Town Councillor, she has a younger brother Neale and a son Adam.

“She was educated partly at Nailsea School and later at Weston College where she studied secretarial skills, her first job was with HSBC, both in Bristol and London, she then married and moved to Canada where Adam was born.

“When Anita returned to the UK, she worked at Avon and Somerset Police as personal assistant to the chief constable, starting with David Shattock and finishing with Andy Marsh and all in between.

“After leaving the Police she carried out administrative work for Bristol University and then became a registrar within the Somerset Wedding Registration service, officiating at many weddings, some in the Nailsea Tithe Barn which is also the main Nailsea Town Council Office.

“Anita stood for election at North Somerset Council in 2019 and joined Nailsea Town Council that same year, becoming its chair in 2023.

“She was a keen fan of Bristol City Football Club, where she and Adam were season ticket holders.”

Cllr James Tonkin, vice-chair of Nailsea Town Council said: “Anita was an inspirational lady who will be hugely missed by her family, friends and colleagues.”