A SPECIAL event to remember former Mayor of Redditch Madge Tillsley MBE will take place at St Stephen’s Church in the town centre at 3pm this Saturday, March 15.
The event is an open event to friends, family and everyone who knew ‘Aunty Madge’ and everyone is welcome to attend.
Following the 93-year-old’s passing, reported in the Standard last week, there has been an outpouring of love and tributes to Worcestershire’s first ever black mayor.
We asked readers to send in their memories of Madge who has been described the ‘life and soul of the town’ and made such a massive positive impact on so many.
‘Resilient Madge’
Les King was a former senior police officer in the 1990s, stationed in Redditch and in charge of the Community Safety Department which involved considerable contact and work with Madge.
He told the Standard: “I knew Madge and her late husband Jim very well.
“Madge told me this story. Jim was slightly deaf. They were in bed one night when Madge was awoken by a noise and was convinced they were being burgled.
“She immediately roused Jim but had trouble making him understand the urgency of the situation.
“Eventually, she decided to shout out to Jim, ‘Jim, we are being robbed, get the gun,’ hoping it would deter any potential burglar.
“Jim rather unhelpfully replied: ‘What gun? We don’t have a gun’.
“Madge decided she would investigate herself so went flying down the stairs in her dressing gown to find there was no burglar.
“It always occurred to me that if I was a burglar and being faced with the choice of a gun or the wrath of Madge flying down the stairs in the early hours of the morning, I think I would have chosen the gun.
“Rest in peace Madge.”
It’s terrible: Madge Tillsley has hit out over the treatment of the Windrush generation. Picture by Alex Bradbury. 3311045ABR
‘Contagious laugh’
Sarah Hicks said: “Madge was a wonderful resident of Terryspring Sourt, she was the life and soul of parties during entertainment afternoons/evenings.
“Soon on her feet and dancing, encouraging many residents to join in the fun.
“I worked in the social club organising activities with my colleague, often bringing my children in to visit.
“Madge always called herself ‘authy’ to the children, and that’s who they knew her as.
“She often talked about how welcome she felt when she came to Britain and said: ‘the British are the salt of the Earth’.
“I loved her optimism and happy soul, always smiling and welcoming everyone with her contagious laugh.”
Her nephew’s memories
Madge’s nephew Trevor Barnett wrote to ‘his aunt and friend’: “She was a special lady to our family.
“I was born in 1959. My Aunt had known me since we left for Canada in 1972 from 27 Marsden Road.
“I came back in 2016 for my uncle’s funeral.
“My uncle took me up to see her when she was living in the apartment up the hill.
“She was so excited to see me, and shared memories from when I was a kid.
“I’ll never forget how she showed such love towards me like I had never left.
“Before I left she gave me many gifts I will cherish as I have the day she gave them to me – a picture of her and uncle Jim when they were married, a photo of Henry Cooper and her singing and a photo of her and Princess Diana. What a gift.
“She told me they were putting together a book of her and she would send it, but I never got it.
“But I know all she shared with me that day was all I needed to hear from her.
“I was and always will be proud of this special lady who came into my life and left an impression I will carry with me forever.
“I love you aunty – see you again in Glory.”
‘Community cohesion’
Insp Rich Field said he was saddened by Madge’s passing and passed on condolences to her friends and family on behalf of the Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team.
He added: “She had Redditch running through her veins and loved this town.”
He highlighted the huge roles she played on the Smallwood Residents Association, the Police and Community Liaison Group and the Community Relations Council.
“Aunty Madge had a passion for integrating the various communities within Redditch and ran an advice surgery and translation service for residents.
“Aunty Madge was a huge supporter of the local police and would seek solutions to local issues.
“She also had time for any officer to talk over issues and provided her insight and views to ensure community cohesion was at the heart of decision making.
“That legacy remains and last summer showed us Redditch stood together as one community with not one report of violence or disorder reported, while nationally the picture looked very different.
“Aunty Madge set these strong foundations for us all.”
