Everyone who was fortunate to have known the late Judi Billing knew just what a special person she was, writes Layth Yousif.

Judi's sad passing late last year left many heartbroken in Hitchin.

Long-serving Labour councillor Judi who represented Hitchin Bearton for 42 years and Hitchin North at Hertfordshire County Council was hugely-respected and admired by so many people in our town - and far beyond.

Judi was a tireless campaigner for local causes and has left many a local legacy through the largesse of her discretionary grants over the years - with the new rainbow bench on top of Windmill Hill another wonderful nod to the most outstanding local councillor this town has had - or will ever have.

In a world of local political pygmies Judi was a true colossus.

Judi and North Herts Pride

Before her sad passing Judi granted North Herts Pride a grant towards the special bench on Windmill Hill, via her Hertfordshire County Council locality budget.

The group funded artist Jacob Williams-Leroy to paint the bench with the rainbow colours to represent LGBT+ communities, while a plaque is set to feature on the bench saying: 'Love conquers all – North Herts Pride'.

Niamh Skinner, Director at North Herts Pride, added: "We at North Herts Pride are so pleased to have worked with the council to have one of the benches on Windmill Hill replaced with a Pride bench, and we have to give a huge thanks to Judi Billing for approving a grant for us to be able to do so! 

"We'd love everyone to join us on Windmill Hill on Saturday for Katie's Picnic, we'll be doing a small unveiling of the bench at 130pm, so we hope to see you there.

"We will relocate to Hitchin Museum Cafe if the weather is unpleasant."

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Judi Billing: RIP to an utterly principled and steadfastly honest politician who cared passionately about Hitchin - and was admired, valued and loved by all