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Councillors Pay Tribute To Colleague
COUNCILLORS have paid tribute to a compassionate and campaigning colleague who died last night (Tuesday) after battling cancer.
Norwegian-born Solveig Stone, 72, lived in Ruislip and served the West Ruislip ward for 10 years after being elected as a councillor in Hillingdon in 1998.
Leader of the Council, Ray Puddifoot, said: "On behalf of the administration and all council staff, I would like to express my condolences to Solveig's family and friends.
"Solveig served Hillingdon Council and the residents of the borough with dedication and distinction over many years.
"She was a real character and truly a people's champion with the ability to mix both passion and compassion when representing the views of residents. We will miss her very much."
Mayor of Hillingdon, Brian Crowe, said: "I have known Solveig Stone both as a councillor and before. She has also been my colleague as a ward councillor and in that time she has constantly had great integrity.
"As a cabinet member I know that she was dedicated to ensuring improvements in education and as a ward councillor she always worked hard for the benefit of the whole community.
"Solveig seconded my nomination for Mayor which is a point for which I owe personal thanks.
"I am deeply saddened at todayÕs news and offer my condolences to her family."
Mike Cox, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "Solveig Stone always did her best for the residents she served and her party.
"In the last few years as a backbencher she displayed a streak of independence and courage which I greatly admired.
"She will be sadly missed and my condolences go to her husband and family."
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Last night, 23rd July 2008, my dear friend and local Councillor for our ward in West Ruislip, lost her battle with cancer.
Solveig Stone was born in Norway in 1935 and told me many sad stories about the German occupation of her homeland. She was a wonderful lady and had a stature to compare with the Fiords of her native Norway.
She became a Hillingdon Borough Councillor in 1998. We first met when our group handed in a petition to the Council about the huge expansion of the Hillingdon Borough Football Club. We met again when I petitioned the Council for a pavement between Ladygate Lane and Howllets Lane. Together with Cllr.Philip Corthorne and Cllr. Brian Crow we won the day. The pavement still bears her initials. There were many other such events where Solveig helped out. The most recent was the campaign to "stop the Garden Grab" in Ruislip. Many houses have been demolished to make way for large apartment blocks. Appalled at the destruction of Ruislip, she organised a march down the High Street with banners, placards and music. There have been many such events. When Boris Johnson visited Ruislip he witnessed a sea of placards organised by Solveig.
She was devoted to her job and spared no effort in helping out the people in Ruislip.
Solveig was appointed the Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Leisure in May 2002. She had a singular passion for education and the youth of the borough. Often, on our way to a meeting, we would make a detour to go past the skateboard park on Kings College Road, just to make sure everything was fine. Such was her dedication. It was a huge disappointment to her when she lost Education in May 2006 and to make matters worse, she was not invited to the opening ceremony of the new school in South Ruislip.
Another of her passions was the environment, she became a Heritage Champion and took a great interest in the restoration of the Manor Farm Complex. Sadly she was not well enough to attend the opening or the open day. I sent her the site details where she could watch it all on Youtube but she was never well enough to click on.
Farewell to a great lady who loved Norway but was equally proud of her Britishness.
I want to add my tribute to my late ward councillor colleague Solveig Stone, with whom I worked in West Ruislip since 2002,with Cllr Brian Crowe.
Although she served the community on a range of issues, I think she found a niche for herself as a doughty campaigner against the inappropriate flatted development which has threatened to engulf our town.
Ruislip has lost a very fine servant.
I will miss her steadfast support, honesty and integrity.
Cllr Philip Corthorne
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