Chiltern Liberal Democrats Honour Lifelong Members at Party's Annual Dinner

12.00.00am GMT Thu 29th Nov 2007

Chiltern Liberal Democrats have honoured two of the party's longest serving and most loyal members.

Between them, Jean Ladley of Chesham and Barbara Thomas of Prestwood have over 100 years membership of the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democrats.

Barbara and Jean were given a special presentation by Julia Goldsworthy MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member and England's youngest MP, at the party's annual dinner held in Great Missenden on 24th November. The event took place just as ballot papers for the party's national leadership contest were being sent out to hundreds of Liberal Democrat members locally.

In a moving tribute to Barbara and Jean, Andrew Ketteringham Chairman of Chiltern Liberal Democrats said "I first met Jean in the 1960s when we were both members of the Liberals in Harrow. It is hard to underestimate the importance of activists like Barbara and Jean to the success of the Liberal Democrats. They kept the flame of liberalism alive in the dark days of the 1950s when we could only win a handful of seats."

Seb Berry Chairman of Great Missenden, Prestwood and Heath End Liberal Democrats added, "Barbara Thomas was an activist in the famous Orpington by election of 45 years ago, which really marked the start of the modern Liberal party. Locally, Liberal Democrat members know Barbara as a cheerful, committed and tireless campaigner. She was a key activist in 1995 when the Liberal Democrats won all three Prestwood and Heath End seats and Great Missenden. Whether delivering leaflets, telling at polling stations or taking on clerical work, Barbara has been a real pillar of the local party. We're really grateful for all of the work she has done for the Liberal Democrats and Liberal Party over half a century. We were delighted that both Barbara and Jean were able to join us for the annual dinner."