Tributes pour in for Spalding's Angela Newton
A stream of tributes have poured in for Spalding councillor Angela Newton, who died aged 76 on Tuesday.
Spalding-born Angela had touched the lives of countless people across the area in a long career of public service - having been first elected as a councillor in 1973.
Fellow members of the Independent group on South Holland District Council and representatives of businesses and organisations have spoken out to pay tribute to Angela, who represented the Spalding Monkshouse ward.
Angela had been a member of South Holland District Council since it was formed, was its first female chairman and leader of the Independent Group.
She also served on Lincolnshire County Council and a number of charities and organisations including Spalding in Bloom and South Holland Parish Voluntary Car Scheme.
The committed councillor had battled bravely against illness and did not let it get in the way of her work.
'All she cared about was making people happy'
Angela’s cousin and fellow Independent councillor Jane King said she was ‘shell shocked’ by the news.
Coun King said that Angela was ‘irreplaceable’ and leaves big boots to fill.
She said: “She’s inspired an awful lot of people and I don’t think anyone on the council has a bad word to say about her.
“What’s the saying? ‘She died with her boots on’ and that’s certainly right.
“The words ‘slow down’ were not in her vocabulary, she just always wanted to do things for people and help them.
“All she cared about was making people happy and she fought for everyone, no matter who you were.
“They really did break the mould when they made her.”
'She was a phenomenon'
Independent Crowland councillor Bryan Alcock said it was a tragic loss and that Angela was a ‘unique individual that helped anyone with anything’.
He said: “She took on far too much but nevertheless dealt with it. She was just a phenomenon that you don’t see very often. She seemed to have 48 hours in every day.
“In recent years her own health has not been good, and she has had all sorts of adversities, but nevertheless just worked through it and was not prepared to let it stop her doing what she wanted to do - which was to do her best for Spalding, in particular, and for the district as a whole.”
Sutton Bridge district councillor Michael Booth has served on the authority with Angela since 1979 - and has known her for more than 60 years.
He said: “It was with great sadness to hear about Angela. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by so many people.
“She was hard working and dedicated in her work through the district and county. I will sorely miss her as a colleague and a friend.
“Rest in peace.”
Fellow Monkshouse ward member Anthony Cronin said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Angela, my colleague and friend.
“I owe Angela a great debt of thanks for encouraging me to get involved in local government and for mentoring me through the election process and all that being a district councillor involves.
“I can never hope to fill her shoes but I will do my best for the Monkshouse ward. I will miss her greatly.”
A 'devastating shock'
District council leader Gary Porter praised Angela for her commitment to South Holland and said the two of them had a good relationship.
He said: “Angela’s passing is a devastating shock for us all at South Holland District Council and no doubt for many residents she ably represented over the years.
“Angela’s tireless contribution to South Holland is well documented and the work Angela did in the community, including Spalding in Bloom, Spalding Town Husbands and the South Holland Voluntary Car Scheme was recognised in her being awarded an MBE in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
“Angela was a prominent political figure in the area and was first elected in 1973 and remained a South Holland district councillor ever since the authority was created. She was also the council’s first female chairman.
“Everyone at South Holland District Council would like to offer their sincere condolences to Angela’s son Andrew, husband Alan, grandson Joseph and daughter-in-law Helen at this very difficult time. She will be sorely missed.”
Representing the area on the county council
Angela had served on Lincolnshire County Council from 1981 to 1993 and 2013 to present, representing the Spalding West ward.
Leader Martin Hill said that Angela had ‘made her mark’.
Coun Hill said: “We are of course shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Angela, who certainly made her mark as a member of Lincolnshire County Council over many years of service. I got to know her particularly well when, as leader of the Independent group on the council, they formed a coalition with the Conservative group in 2017. She was a valued member of that leadership team.
“Representing the Spalding West division on the county council from 1981 through to 1993 and returning in 2013 for a further nine years, Angela provided considerable support for constituents in her area over many issues. And she was an active and vocal member on the current Planning and Regulatory, Pensions and Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way committees. She was also a keen scrutineer, as a former vice-chairman of our Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and led various scrutiny reviews in the late 2010s.
“I know her contribution will be sorely missed by myself and colleagues on the county council as well as the many constituents she has helped in Spalding. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”
Well known for AP Sales
Angela was well-known for her work as an estate agent with AP Sales with husband Alan.
Fellow agent Christopher Longstaff, of R Longstaff & Co, said he was saddened by the news.
He said: “Angela was considered as a very well respected member of the community but she was also very well respected in business as an estate agent in Spalding for many, many years. She worked tirelessly for the community and there are not many who have the drive and opportunity to do that.”
Angela had played a key role in helping Spalding win five consecutive gold medals from East Midlands in Bloom in recent years.
Pete Williams, who had worked alongside Angela on Spalding In Bloom, said: “She was one of the few councillors who actually had Spalding town and the district as a top priority, rather than political agenda.
“She stood head and shoulders above all other councillors and I will really miss her.”
One cause Angela was passionate about was the Johnson Community Hospital and she had campaigned for the new site in Spalding Road.
She was also president of The League of Friends of the Spalding Hospitals having previously been chairman.
Treasurer Elizabeth Britten said: “If anything wasn’t right for people she was there to shout for them.
“She is going to be missed by our committee because of her knowledge.”
Angela had also been a staunch supporter of Spalding’s markets.
Chairman of the Spalding Market Traders Association Dave Burgess has paid tribute. He said: “She was a big help. She always spoke up for us.”
'It's a sad day for Spalding'
People who worked alongside Angela Newton on various organisations have expressed how much she will be missed.
Angela had been a key member of the South Holland Parish Voluntary Car Scheme since 1989 - and had still been driving patients to appointments recently.
Manager for Spalding Andy Bunce said: “She was the first councillor I had met who was true to her calling.
“She has helped thousands of people.”
She was chairman of Spalding Good Neighbours Scheme - organising Jubilee parties for older residents earlier this year - and was on the Friends of Speyer Group.
In June 2021, Angela received the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List as a result of services to the community.
Saving eight homes from the threat of demolition as part of the Spalding Western Relief Road was one of her proudest council moments.
Bourne Road resident Amanda Halifax said yesterday was a ‘sad day for Spalding’, adding: “She was always there for everyone, 24 hours a day, and constantly striving for resolutions for any issues.
“She was truly an amazing lady with a heart of gold .”
Angela had been on Welland and Internal Drainage Board for 20 years.
Chairman Trevor Purllant said yesterday: “It was with great sadness when I learned this morning of Councillor Angela Newton’s unexpected passing.
“Coun Newton had been a stalwart member of the Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board as a South Holland District Council representative since June 2002.
"During those 20 years, Councillor Newton had proved to be a most valuable and well-respected member of the Board.
"Coun Newton will be sorely missed by the Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board, and on behalf of the members of the Board, the Chief Executive and the staff, I offer Angela’s family and friends our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy at this difficult time."
Coun Newton had also fought for town bus services - holding talks to save routes and to try to expand public transport for residents.
A spokesman for Brylaine Travel said: “Absolutely gutted, our thoughts are with her family and friends.
“A most wonderful, kind hearted, warm, funny lady - who was dedicated to Spalding residents and communities.”
