TRIBUTES have been paid to the Lake District’s very own ‘Boadicea’ who gained a reputation for ruling with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Dubbed by some as the Queen of the Lakes, mother of two Elizabeth Braithwaite, of Grasmere, died at home last Wednesday morning.

The formidable Mrs Braithwaite was a woman of many firsts - in 1966 she made mountaineering history by becoming the first person to ride a pony up Scafell, England’s highest mountain.

Then, while serving on Lakes Parish Council, she was elected on to South Lakeland District Council - where she remained until retirement in 2006 - and became the first woman, and first Independent candidate, to be its chairman.

Mrs Braithwaite, who was convinced that SLDC should have become a unitary authority running all local government services, once described her role as a councillor as a “responsibility which never ends”.

She added: “It’s not just attending meetings and sitting in the council chamber. There is a lot of unseen work to be done to do the job efficiently.”

Current SLDC leader Brendan Jameson described Mrs Braithwaite as a “stalwart”.

“Elizabeth was a tremendous ambassador for the council and for the area. I think in the latter years, she was the district representative on the Local Government Association in London.

“She didn’t just represent the Lakes, she shouted very loudly for what she felt needed to happen. She also had a softer side to her and was very understanding and sympathetic.”

Yorkshire-born, she came to Grasmere in the late 1950s as a horsewoman and soon became a trek leader, guiding fell pony riders and becoming riding mistress at the Rothay Hotel.

And her spirit and determination went down in folk history as she led the charge to protect her beloved village from urbanisation when, in 1977, developers planned to demolish the hotel and replace it with a parade of shops and holiday flats.

A village society was formed and, thanks to donations, fund-raising and interest free loans, the £80,00 price tag was met and the hotel was saved and renamed The Wordsworth Hotel.

She would also rally for issues such as getting dustbins in outlying areas emptied weekly rather than fortnightly, and selflessly gave her time and expertise to help charities.

Robin Martakies, who was clerk of the parish council while Mrs Braithwaite was chairman, said: “She was a very kind, sweet, outgoing and caring woman who would do just about anything for anybody.

“She didn’t suffer fools gladly and would say what she thought. She had strong views, but she would listen and was willing to change her mind. She always had a good heart. I wouldn’t have a word said against her.”

Her determination to serve South Lakeland was perhaps summed up by the following statement, which was addressed to residents after she was appointed as chairman in 1993.

“When the going gets tough, remember I will be flying the flag for all of you,” she said.

The funeral will be held at St Oswald’s Church, Grasmere, on Friday, February 5 at 1.30pm.

* If you would like to add a tribute to Mrs Braithwaite, you can do so below.