A former pub landlady and politician has been remembered as a “formidable” woman who cared deeply for the people she represented.

Wendy Marlow previously ran the Rifle Volunteers pub in Maidstone while serving as a borough councillor for 12 years.

Politicians of all colours paid tribute to her at a council meeting this week, observing a minute’s silence in her honour.

Mrs Marlow served on Maidstone Borough Council from 1991 until 2003, representing Shepway East and Shepway North wards.

She was also leader of the Labour group at the council for eight years, only stepping down in 2002 when she was appointed cabinet member for housing.

She said at the time that she wanted to devote her full attention to the post.

It was also the year that she and her husband Alan retired from the pub in Wyatt Street.

At Wednesday night’s council meeting, the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr John Perry, said: “She was on numerous committees, but was particularly interested and concerned about housing.

“She was a formidable member of this council.”

Cllr Tom Sams (Ind) added: “What Wendy lacked in height, she made up for in her fiery and feisty character.”

He recalled her more than a few times shaking her fist at the opposition members.

“But she also had a wicked sense of humour and helped many others along the way,” he said.

Cllr Clive English (Lib Dem) admitted having “hundreds of stand-up rows “ with Mrs Marlow in the council chamber, recalling that both sides were absolutely convinced they were right.

“It could never be said that she lacked passion, conviction or commitment to pursuing the Labour cause,” he said.

“She worked tremendously hard to represent the political party that she stood for and the residents that she served.

“We disagreed on a tremendous range of things, but she did care very deeply for the people of this borough and put in a huge amount of effort. I miss her.”

Cllr Maureen Cleator (Lab) added: “Wendy was a feisty lady. You incurred her ire at your own risk. But she was also very generous and very supportive of those who were trying to make their way.

“She was bold, she was assertive - everything that a councillor and that a woman should be.”

Cllr Paul Harper (Fant and Oanwood Independents) pointed out that Mrs Marlow had won five elections, sometimes winning 65% of the votes cast.

He recalled that she had led the Maidstone Against Privatisation Campaign, seeking to stop the sale of council housing.

He said: “She saw very early on the danger of Margaret Thatcher’s policy of selling off council houses and the fact that it would lead to precisely where we find ourselves now - with a complete lack of affordable homes.

“Her campaign even garnered national media coverage.”

Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) said: “Back in the 1990s, local politics was much more visceral.

“Sometimes when you were out canvassing and came upon a group of Labour campaigners, it was like something out of West Side Story.

“Wendy was unashamedly old Labour and didn’t have much time for Blairite politics.

“All my memories of her are good - if sometimes scary!”

Mrs Marlow died in August of this year, having survived her husband, who died in 2019.