90-year-old Alderman Elizabeth Cobbett Dies

Published on: 13 Dec, 2016
Updated on: 14 Dec, 2016

The death of Hon Alderman Elizabeth Cobbett, a former Mayor of Guildford, was reported by Guildford Borough Council yesterday (December 12).

Believed to have been 90-years-old, she lived her last few years in Wales.

In the announcement it was stated: “Elizabeth (or Liz) Cobbett was first elected to the borough council in 1979 for the Holy Trinity ward and served as a councillor for 12 years until 1991.

“She served on a number of committees, including the Arts and Recreation Committee (1979-1990) – which she chaired in 1987-88; the Planning Committee (1979-1987); the Building & Works Committee in 1990-91; and the Policy & Resources Committee (1987-1991).”

Alderman Cobbett was Mayor of Guildford in 1988-89.

During her time as councillor, she represented the council on many outside bodies, including:

Archbishop Abbot’s Exhibition Foundation: 1983-1991
Holy Trinity (Guildford) Housing Association: 1979-1991
Trinity Hospital Governors (Abbot’s Hospital): 1980-1989
Benbrick’s Charity: 1981-1989
Hilliers Charity: 1982-1991
Area Museum Service for South East England Executive Council: 1983-1988
Guildford Sports Council: 1982-1988
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Board of Management Committee: 1983-1989
Guildford Area Highways Sub-Committee: 1983-1987

On 1 July 1992, the council conferred the title of Honorary Alderman on Liz in recognition of, “her eminent service rendered to the council both as a councillor and whilst the mayor”.

Update December 14: A private cremation service is reported to have taken place in Wales this morning. A GBC communication has stated that there will be another service sometime in the new year in Guildford.

Alderman Cobbett’s ashes will be placed in her husband Stanley’s burial plot at the Mount Cemetery, as per her wishes.