Blue plaque for Basingstoke's first woman mayor Edith Alice Weston

Councillor Edith Alice Weston served as a town councillor from 1929 until her death in 1956 at the age of 72. She became the Mayor in 1937.

In her time as Mayor, she was noted for her contribution to the arts and as being a keen promoter for the Willis Museum in New Street.

The blue plaque was installed on Wednesday, October 23, outside the home where she lived in Crossborough Hill - a house which she gave to the Basingstoke High School for Girls and is still used by The Costello School today.

READ MORE: Basingstoke's first woman Mayor to be commemorated by blue plaque

The blue plaque (Image: Newsquest)

In attendance was the grandson of Edith Alice Westwood, Nicholas Usherwood, 81, who told the Gazette that he is happy his grandmother is being remembered.

He said: "It is marvellous, I'm so pleased.

"It is easy for people to get lost or forgotten in time, so this is a good way to remember her.

"It is so marvellous to see that woman I knew when I was a little boy remembered in this way and not be forgotten."

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Edith Alice Weston (Image: Contributed)

Organised by the Basingstoke Heritage Society, the blue plaque is the society's 24th marker, with the others placed at locations of notable events in the town's history.

Debbie Reavall, secretary of the Basingstoke Heritage Society and local historian told the Gazette that it is important to remember her for "so many reasons."

She added: "It is important because she did so much for the town, and it is very significant as she was the first female mayor.

"She gave such long service to the town and in so many ways and I think it is something that's really important, and I'm really proud we found so much out about her.

"I think she was an amazing person."

The current Mayor of Basingstoke, Cllr Dan Putty, unveiled the plaque along with Cllr Stacy Hart of the Women's Equality Party.

He said: "I would say that Basingstoke's council has been very progressive, we have had several lady mayors as well as male mayors.

"We should really congratulate ourselves as people of Basingstoke and Deane that we have a council that is so progressive."

Cllr Stacy Hart also gave a speech. She explained that Edith Alice Weston was "remarkable".

She said that the plaques are installed to mark the lives of those who "frankly we all should know a little bit more about.

"Edith Alice Weston lived a life that was remarkable in both dedication and achievement.

"Her status as Basingstoke's first female mayor is a huge accolade and one that we rightly celebrate today but underpinning that achievement is the story of a woman who was tireless in her public service and devoted to the Basingstoke community.

"Her fight for women's equality, not only as a long-term goal but in practical community-based achievements that especially benefited those who were less well off made Basingstoke a better, richer place for all of its residents."