A FORMER Wem mayor and Shropshire councillor has paid tribute to the founder of the Wem Eckford Sweet Pea show Val Good after she died last week.

Pauline Dee BEM paid tribute ahead of the funeral on Wednesday, April 17, while the town also lowered flags to half-mast in honour of Val's achievements.

Mrs Dee explained how Val brought a much-loved tradition to the town with the Wem Eckford Sweet Pea Show pulling people in from all over the country.

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She said: “I first met Val after her husband, John, rang me and told me that Henry Eckford 100th birthday was due and he hoped that Wem could put on a Sweet Pea Show to commemorate this auspicious occasion.  

“I called a public meeting and the late John Cobbold chaired it, as I knew nothing about Sweet Peas.  

“A lot of people attended and it was decided that a committee be set up to organise the event.

“Val was the secretary and worked so hard to ensure the event was a success.  

“She was tireless in her efforts to ensure that all the paperwork was in order ably assisted by John who became the show manager and the rest of the family supported them by building the staging.  

“It was a real family affair with the rest of us doing what we were told.  

“The first show was a great success and the chairman of the National Sweet Pea Show came and was amazed at the displays and floral arrangements.  

“Val was always modest about her involvement but she definitely ensured that this show and subsequent annual shows were so successful.  

“She will be missed but will always be remembered fondly by those of us who worked alongside her.  

“We were so delighted when she was awarded the MBE for her work over the years which she modestly accepted.”

Meanwhile, Edward Towers – Mrs Dee’s successor at Shropshire Council and also a former mayor – took to social media to pay his own tribute.

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He said: “Val did so much to put our town on the map with John and her family over many years.

“She will be missed but not forgotten leaving behind, as she does, the sweet scent of sweet peas being grown and displayed around the town each summer.”

Meanwhile, flags were also lowered in respect for the passing of Tom Edwards, an honorary townsman and former councillor, and a friendly face at many a town council meeting in Wem.