Former Mayoress Dies at 91

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Holding Civic Office was family tradition for Eleanor Belsham

A former Mayoress of Hammersmith & Fulham has died at the age of 91.

Frances Eleanor Belsham, known as Eleanor, was elected to the London Borough of Hammersmith in May 1968 as a ward councillor for Addison.

She lost her seat in 1971 but was reelected in 1976. Two years later, she was appointed as Deputy Mayor for the first time.

In 1980, Mrs Belsham became Deputy Mayor again and in 1982 she was chosen as Deputy Mayoress. She held the position of Mayoress from May 1983 to May 1984. She remained a ward councillor until May 1986.

Local government service and the holding of high civic office were a family tradition, with her husband Arthur Belsham a former Deputy Mayor and Honorary Freeman of the Borough. The couple ran a printing business on Shepherds Bush Road.

Mrs Belsham’s father-in-law, Arthur Belsham senior was Mayor of Hammersmith Metropolitan Borough Council from 1933 to 1935.

Cllr Karmel, Mayor of the borough, said: "We are saddened to hear of the passing away of Mrs Belsham and send our sincere condolences to her friends and family."

Eleanor Belsham died on Tuesday March 2 at East Surrey Hospital. The flag was lowered to half mast at Hammersmith Town Hall on Monday March 8 as a sign of respect.

March 11, 2010