A pioneering campaigner who successfully fought to save green belt land from being developed has died.

Avril Chick was chairman of the Elstree & Borehamwood Green Belt Society, playing an important role in protecting much loved open space from developers.

Mrs Chick left Borehamwood 15 years ago with her husband Doug, but is remembered fondly by those who knew her.

Ann Goddard, current chairman of the green belt society, remembers the life of Mrs Chick who passed away in November, with the following memoir.

Remembering Avril Chick, a pioneer campaigner for local conservation.

Avril Chick, who died peacefully on Sunday 15 November, was an important participant in local affairs until about fifteen years ago when she and her husband Doug moved to Grendon Northamptonshire, her home county.

She and Doug, an American engineer, lived in the now rebuilt Bays Hill Cottage Barnet Lane with her son, Doug junior and her Yorkshire terrier Chiquita.

She and Doug were pillars of the Conservative Party and frequent generous hosts to events. However her major contribution was through the Green Belt Society which she chaired for some years and was in charge when I joined.

Her control of meetings was excellent because of her personal charm and good nature. Her appearance at public meetings and enquiries was always impressive, as she was tall, striking in looks and very smartly and fashionably dressed.

Her main campaign was to save Woodcock Hill and The Horses Field on Furzehill Road/ Barnet Lane from development with the help of the late Roy Vandermeer QC, and the late Dr Lewis Wilde, her neighbours. How ironic that the same piece of land is under threat today.

While living in Bays Hill Cottage, Avril and Doug had a most traumatic experience. Armed robbers broke into their home, tied them up and forced them to open their safe, decamping with valuables including Avril’s jewellery. The enterprising Doug managed to free himself from the banisters and wriggle to the phone, knock off the receiver and dial 999 with his nose. This brought help from the police and they were rescued.

The most treasured lost item was a locket given to Avril as a girl by a favourite aunt. By incredible good luck, she later found the piece in second hand jewellers in Brighton and bought it back.

She was a great friend and supporter of Dr Winn Everett, daughter of Sir Percy Everett of Scout movement fame, and the much respected doyenne of the medical establishment in the district. #

She ran the Schopwick practice in the Wold War 2 and post war years almost single-handed. After Winn’s death in her nineties Avril produced tribute to her, a book entitled The Winn Everett Story. This was a transcription of several recordings and talks Winn had given on her memories and is illustrated with fascinating period photographs from the Everett family albums.

It was Winn who introduced Avril to the Green Belt Society.

When Doug retired they moved to a country farmhouse in Grendon, near to Avril’s sister, where they had happy years of retirement transforming the farm to a comfortable home and holding hospitable lunch parties. She kept in touch with her Green Belt friends though retired as chairman.

Her death is a sorrow to us and we remember her with great affection. Our thoughts are with her family who were able to support her in her last peaceful days.

Ann Goddard, chairman of Elstree & Borehamwood Green Belt Society