TRIBUTES have been paid to a veteran campaigner renowned for her battle to protect Bolton’s green belt.

Olive Kenyon, who lived in Laburnum Park in Bradshaw, died at the Royal Bolton Hospital on Wednesday, August 30 after a short illness.

Mrs Kenyon had campaigned for many years against developments on open spaces around the town, including in Bradshaw and Bromley Cross.

Tevor Mitten, Olive’s nephew who lives in Cornwall, said: “Olive was very organised and she was always vocal whenever she disagreed with something

“She worked hard for people in her community and she loved her family.

“She really liked her walking, especially with her husband Raymond and when she retired she did a lot of trips out.

“Olive had such a good heart.”

Mrs Kenyon was the oldest of three children and attended Bolton Grammar and Bolton Commercial Schools before she worked at John Reeds in Newport Street.

She also worked at de Havilland Aircraft before moving on to work at Derby Street High School and Sharples High School as an administrator.

She and her husband Raymond were married in 1945, celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary two years before he died in 2007.

Campaigns she fought included the fight against the development of Birtenshaw Farm and she also campaigned to save Smithills Coaching House.

Cllr John Walsh, who knew Mrs Kenyon for about 20 years, said she was a ‘strong woman’ who would be sadly missed.

He said: “Olive was a keen fighter for the open spaces of Bromley Cross and Bradshaw.

“She fought against many developments and she spoke to me regularly about things that she was against.

“From trees to fields, she was an ardent campaigner for our green belt and open space. It is a sad loss for us.”

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday at noon in St. Maxentius Church in Bradshaw, before a committal in Overdale East Chapel at 1.15pm.