Tributes have been paid to a Swindon councillor and former teacher after her unexpected death.

Pam Adams spent much of her life serving the community, whether as a teacher at Lawn Manor Academy or doing her bit to help the residents of Highworth, where she served as a town councillor for several years which included a stint as mayor between 2014 and 2015.

Originally from Solihull, the 71-year-old retired teacher was elected to represent as a Swindon Borough Councillor for the St Margaret and South Marston ward in March 2022, then re-elected to Stratton St Margaret Parish Council earlier this month.

Swindon Labour announced the news of Pam's "unexpected and sad" death on Twitter on Monday.

Leader Jim Robbins said: "Our thoughts are with Pam’s husband, her two sons, and her whole family.  

“Pam was a key member of the Labour Group and she will be much missed. I know that she was hugely delighted by Labour's recent election win.

"My last call from her was full of positivity and hope as we planned her role in the new administration.  

“I knew Pam as a colleague at Lawn Manor Academy before we were both elected, and she was a great teacher who was regularly stopped by old pupils who loved to greet her.”

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Labour's Parliamentary hopeful Heidi Alexander added: "I only got to know Pam in the last year but was so saddened when I learned of this news.

"She was a beautiful, warm, funny, intelligent person who had so much to offer and always put everyone at ease. My thoughts are with her family."

Pam was also a member of the Growing the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Swindon Borough Council's Planning Committee, and the Resources and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

There will be a minute's silence in her memory at this Friday's annual council meeting.

Conservative Group leader Coun Gary Sumner said: "This sad news came as a shock to all of us. Some knew Pam better than others, but it is always a tragedy when something like this happens so unexpectedly.

"Despite any political differences you may have, at times like this you realise you’re all part of one big family of local councillors. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Pam’s family, friends and colleagues in the Labour Group.”

A Save the Oasis spokesman said: "We are sad to hear of the passing of Pam Adams. She was a Swindon councillor who was keen to help us with the Oasis back in 2021."

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