Widow of long-serving Stroud councillor to 'work hard and follow in his footsteps'

Norman Kay’s widow Kate says she will work hard to follow in her late husband’s footsteps as she was elected as a Green Party councillor to represent Nailsworth and Horsley on Stroud District Council.

Much-loved councillor Kay, who died while in office at the age of 77 on December 12, was described as a “political force in Stroud ever since his first election more than 40 years ago” when councillors paid tributes to him late last year.

And Kate said being elected means a lot to her as her late husband loved Nailsworth and Horsley and worked hard for residents.

She was elected to represent the ward at Ebley Mill with 985 votes alongside Labour’s Steve Robinson and Maggie Dutton who polled 1,599 and 942 respectively.

“It means a lot to me,” Kate said. “Norman worked and gave his heart and soul to Nailsworth and Horsley.

“He loved it, and I love Nailsworth and Horsley so it has meant a lot to be following in his footsteps now and working hard for residents – it’s a fantastic community.

“I’m very proud of him and I decided to do it so close to his death, probably not in the best time to make decisions.

“But you regret the things you haven’t done in life, and not the things you have done. So I decided I was going to do it and live with the consequences!”

Cllr Kay, who has been on Horsley Parish Council for 12 years and is the current chair, said she will work hard for her constituents in Nailsworth and Horsley.

Norman Kay was elected to Stroud District Council six times, first in 1983, serving a total of 21 years as a district councillor initially as a Labour member then in later years as a Green.

He also served on Nailsworth Town Council for 14 years including three as mayor.

Kate Kay has been elected as Green Party councillor for Nailsworth and Horsley on Stroud District Council - the former seat of her late husband Norman

The late Stroud District Councillor Norman Kay