A Tribute in words and pictures to Pam Ballard:

Auriol Ward RA Councillor Pam Ballard, at Stoneleigh Methodist Church, 2003.		Pam Ballard (left) and Mrs Joan Price (right) with the Mayor and Mayoress at SARA's 75th Anniversary Dinner, October 2008
Pam Ballard with Councillor Jan Mason at the Town Hall, 2008		The 1999 Borough Council Election with our three Auriol Ward Residents' Association councillors (left to right) Christine Long, Robert Leach and Pam Ballard
Pam Ballard at her Alderman-making ceremony in 2004, with SARA's only other Honorary Life Member, John Saunders		Honorary Alderman Pam Ballard is presented with her Honorary Life Member certificate at SARA's AGM on 24th April 2009

A Tribute to Pam Ballard

It is an irony of tragic proportions that, as the country rails in anger at the apparent self-seeking and selfishness of some of our national politicians, so our community mourns the passing of someone who was the embodiment of service, civic duty and selfless devotion to others. For that indeed was Pam Ballard.

Although Pam was very much involved in innovation and policy throughout her time on the Council, Pam was the most un-political politician you could wish to meet. That was her charm, but it was equally her most potent political weapon. For who could say “no” to someone whose whole rationale was service rather than politics? Who could attack the motives of someone whose only reason for being a councillor was so evidently to help out, to make a difference, to give something back? And who could criticise Pam for not attacking her political opponents if, for her, attacking political opponents never actually improved the lot of one pensioner or one small child?

And in that sense Pam Ballard was never a local politician. In fact Pam was all that local government should be, but so often is not - a tireless, selfless worker for causes so dear to her heart: the elderly, the infirm, the young – just people.

Pam was already engaged in community work when, in May 1976, she was elected unopposed as the Residents’ Association Councillor for the newly created Auriol Ward. And Pam went on to serve the residents of Auriol, and Epsom and Ewell, for a total of 27 years.

During that time she chaired two major Council Committees, overseeing some major innovations in both environmental health services and services for the elderly. She promoted the interests of residents through her work within the Health Service, and she devoted much of her time to supporting voluntary organisations, particularly those linked to the elderly. She served on at least 62 different Council Committees, Boards and Working Parties and was a member of 32 different organisations and voluntary groups including serving as a Governor and Chairman of Mead Primary School.

But Pam was not just clocking up the number of committees to make her CV look good. Every one of those 94 activities involved a real investment of time and energy, of absolute commitment to the community. For Pam was one of life’s doers and a real ‘people-person’. Not for Pam an end of the day chat with the family about the policy, the paperwork or the outcomes. Rather, for her the late night focus would be on who she met, what they said, their interest and how she might further enhance their lives.

It was under Pam Ballard’s Chairmanship of the Housing and Personal Services Committee that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council developed its important relationship with Rosebery Housing Association following the transfer of the Council’s housing stock. And Pam also oversaw the development of our Community Centres and pushed for the building of the Wells Centre and the establishment of route call. What a legacy to leave to our community.

It was also Pam who is responsible for a key aspect our street scene – the wheelie bin. Much used on the continent, Pam as Chairman of the relevant Committee, declined the opportunity to visit Belgium for an in-depth study of their use. Instead Pam chose to drive around the streets of Winchester looking into their wheel bins. It was said, and never denied by Pam, that she even got advice from the town’s drunk on which of Winchester’s bins provided the best lunch!

From 1989–1990 Pam Ballard served as Mayor, a position she undertook with both dignity and grace. But whilst she valued and respected the role played by tradition and ceremony - and she took her official roles very seriously - Pam never took herself too seriously. There was always a spark of fun, even mischief in what she did and the stories she told.

No surprise then when, in March 2004, Pam was made an Alderman for her services as a councillor. A fitting tribute to a life of dedication and care. Thank you Pam for all that you did, and all that you were. We will miss you, and we will never forget you.

Councillor Eber A Kington