Janet Maines MBE, a former mayor of Farnham and Waverley and superstar of the Farnham community, died in hospital on February 25, her family has announced.

Janet worked tirelessly for the town over many decades, and was presented an MBE in 2017 for her services to the community by Queen Elizabeth II.

Janet described the event at the time as “the greatest honour possible”.

Janet, who was 83, also served as a town, borough and county councillor in Farnham from the early 1990s until 2011, as well as mayor of Farnham in 2000/01, and of Waverley in 2004/05.

She was the first-ever female president of the Rotary Club of Farnham in 2009/10 and served as a governor of various local schools, including Hale and The Abbey.

Janet also oversaw the development of The Bungalow community centre and children’s centre in Sandy Hill – latterly Hale Community Centre.

She served as chairman of trustees at the 40 Degreez youth centre in Dogflud Way for many years.

She is survived by her partner and long-time fellow councillor and mayor Victor Duckett, three sons and two granddaughters. 

Janet’s funeral will be held at Guildford Crematorium on March 30 at 11.15am.

Anyone who would like to pay tribute to Janet Maines in a future edition of the Herald can email their thoughts and memories to us at [email protected]