A THANKSGIVING service has been held in memory of a woman who campaigned to make Sandwich a better place to live.

Tributes have been paid to the former chairman and life president of the Sandwich Society, Patricia Lavers, who was described as a kind and generous woman who gave a huge amount to the town.

A service was held in St Clement’s Church for Mrs Lavers who died in Deal Hospital. She was 87.

Current chairman of the Sandwich Society, Keith Wells, said Mrs Lavers was very popular and well respected by everybody.

He said: “She was the Sandwich Society. Her tireless work with campaigns like the 20mph speed restrictions has made the town a better place to live.

“Patricia was kind and generous and had a great knack of getting people to do what she wanted them to do.”

Mrs Lavers was also president of the Sandwich branch of the South Thanet Conservative Association.

Fellow Conservative Cllr John Bragg said she was very active, particularly with campaigns. “She had huge energy and put in an enormous amount of effort for the association,” he added.

Mrs Lavers moved to Sandwich 28 years ago from London, where she was executive director of the Bond Street Association.

Her enthusiasm and efforts in that role were transferred to Sandwich when she made it her home and she was determined to improve life in the town.

She was behind campaigns like Save the Salutation, the 20 is Plenty speed limit campaign, and the cleaning of the Delf Stream.

Mrs Lavers leaves her husband Pip, her son and two stepchildren.