Tributes have been paid to a true community stalwart who died suddenly at home at the weekend.

Mary Bragg, 76, was a Tendring District Councillor (TDC) for ten years and active member of the Scout Association for more than 40 years.

She represented the St Bartholomews Ward of Holland-on-Sea as an Independent and was Chairman of TDC in 2005/6.

Cllr Bragg was also Council Vice-Chairman in 2004/5, 2008/9 and 2009/10 as well as being a past Chairman of TDC's Human Resources Committee.

Her colleague and close friend, Cllr Joy Broderick, who represents Haven Ward, said that Cllr Bragg will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

"Quite apart from her tireless work as a councillor she was involved in so many other organisations where she helped to improve the lives of others," she said.

"Mary believed that all children have a right to a good start in life and the organisation which took a large part of her time was the Scout movement.

"She was also Chairman of Holland Residents' Association and was the rock that we took for granted would always be there."

Alan Goggin, Chairman of TDC, said he was fortunate enough to know Mary for the last five years.

"As Chairman I travel extensively around the District and whenever I met Mary I was always impressed by her enthusiasm for her ward members in general and youngsters in particular," he said.

"Her involvement and enthusiasm for a variety of groups was apparent to all.
She was a good Councillor and her contribution to Full Council and at various sub-committees will be missed.

"Our thoughts at this time are very much with her family who can perhaps take comfort from an active life full of great memories."

At the time of her death she was Tendring District Scout Secretary and had previously been an Assistant District Commissioner in Dunstable.

On returning to the Tendring area in 1992 she was appointed Group Scout Leader to 1st Holland-on-Sea Scout Group. She joined the local Scout service team, helping out at events, and became a member of the Scout District Executive.

A project close to Cllr Bragg's heart was to build a new District HQ for the Scouts and became chairman of the fund raising committee in 2002 raising many tens of thousands of pounds. She also worked in the Scout charity shop in Old Road, Clacton, on a regular basis.

In 2009 she was awarded the Silver Wolf, the highest adult Scout award, for her exceptional service to the movement.

Ray Smith, District Commissioner Tending, said: "Although Mary had many interests, including being a councillor, she was passionate about Scouting and the well being of the 950 young people and adult volunteers in this area. This role was one of the most important things in her life.

"The District has come to rely on her support very heavily and it will be impossible to replace her enthusiasm and dedication.

"It is very sad that she will not see the completion of our new HQ project which she has played such a major role in helping to bring about."

Cllr Bragg was also a director and Chairman of the charity Tendring Reuse and Employment Enterprise (T.R.E.E.), as well as a member of the Tendring Access Group.

She leaves a widower, Basil, to whom she was married for 57 years, three daughters, Kate, Madeleine and Christine, a son, Michael, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

17/1/12