A THANKSGIVING service will be held at Haslemere Methodist Church at 2pm on Friday, February 7, in memory of Barbara Badger – a pillar of the town.

A former grammar school head of French and university lecturer, Mrs Badger moved to Haslemere on her retirement in 1995, where she created a French conversation course for Haslemere U3A and joined Haslemere Morning WI committee.

In 1996, she joined Haslemere Twinning Society and was elected chairman in 2003.

On her retirement in 2008, in recognition of her valuable services to twinning between Haslemere and Bernay, she was presented with a medal from the mayor and town council of Bernay.

In 2016, Mrs Badger was presented with a volunteer award medal for her good works on behalf of the community.

Her husband Colin said: “Unfortunately over the past few years, medical problems had prevented her from taking part in the activities she had always held close to her heart.”