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Sherma Batson obituary Sherma Batson obituary
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My wife, Sherma Batson, who has died aged 59 following a subarachnoid haemorrhage, lived a full and varied life as a poet, actor, Labour councillor, community activist and mayor of Stevenage.My wife, Sherma Batson, who has died aged 59 following a subarachnoid haemorrhage, lived a full and varied life as a poet, actor, Labour councillor, community activist and mayor of Stevenage.
The daughter of Trinidadian parents, Edwin Batson, a centre lathe turner, and Yvonne (nee Thompson), a nurse, who had migrated to London in the 1950s, Sherma was born in Paddington. With her family she moved to the new town of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in 1961. She attended Camps Hill infant and junior schools and Stevenage girls’ grammar school.The daughter of Trinidadian parents, Edwin Batson, a centre lathe turner, and Yvonne (nee Thompson), a nurse, who had migrated to London in the 1950s, Sherma was born in Paddington. With her family she moved to the new town of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in 1961. She attended Camps Hill infant and junior schools and Stevenage girls’ grammar school.
I first met her in 1974 when she joined the company I was working for as an office temp. I was captivated by her outgoing personality and her beautiful smile. We dated for a while and broke up, then she married and had a daughter. But the marriage ended in divorce.I first met her in 1974 when she joined the company I was working for as an office temp. I was captivated by her outgoing personality and her beautiful smile. We dated for a while and broke up, then she married and had a daughter. But the marriage ended in divorce.
Sherma was a co-founder of the Munirah Theatre Company, which toured the UK and Europe during the 1980s. She wrote a moving poem entitled Ms Understood, which was published in a collection of creative writing by black women, Watchers and Seekers (1987).Sherma was a co-founder of the Munirah Theatre Company, which toured the UK and Europe during the 1980s. She wrote a moving poem entitled Ms Understood, which was published in a collection of creative writing by black women, Watchers and Seekers (1987).
After living in London for several years, Sherma returned to Stevenage and started working at the Stevenage Furniture Recycling Scheme, a charity established to provide furniture to the unwaged and to avoid landfill. She quickly became active in the local voluntary sector, supporting many other groups.After living in London for several years, Sherma returned to Stevenage and started working at the Stevenage Furniture Recycling Scheme, a charity established to provide furniture to the unwaged and to avoid landfill. She quickly became active in the local voluntary sector, supporting many other groups.
In the late 80s we met up again and married in 1999. By this time she had joined the Labour party. After earning her spurs through campaigning for others, Sherma was elected to Hertfordshire county council in 2001, and subsequently to Stevenage borough council. In 2008 she was appointed MBE for services to Hertfordshire. A year later she became a deputy lieutenant of the county.In the late 80s we met up again and married in 1999. By this time she had joined the Labour party. After earning her spurs through campaigning for others, Sherma was elected to Hertfordshire county council in 2001, and subsequently to Stevenage borough council. In 2008 she was appointed MBE for services to Hertfordshire. A year later she became a deputy lieutenant of the county.
Sherma ran as a Labour and Co-operative party candidate for EU and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Although unsuccessful, she campaigned vigorously. She was one of those who formed the Stevenage World Forum for ethnic communities, established to give minorities a voice in the town. For a long time she wanted to do something to mark Black History Month. Through the forum she achieved this by organising a multicultural show, Celebrate!!!, at the Gordon Craig theatre in Stevenage, which is now in its 14th year.Sherma ran as a Labour and Co-operative party candidate for EU and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Although unsuccessful, she campaigned vigorously. She was one of those who formed the Stevenage World Forum for ethnic communities, established to give minorities a voice in the town. For a long time she wanted to do something to mark Black History Month. Through the forum she achieved this by organising a multicultural show, Celebrate!!!, at the Gordon Craig theatre in Stevenage, which is now in its 14th year.
In 2014 Sherma became mayor of Stevenage. She was also an active member of the Council of Europe, and of the European Committee of the Regions. She believed passionately that a united Europe was essential to avoid conflict. In 2014 Sherma became mayor of Stevenage. She was also an active member of the Congress of the Council of Europe, and of the European Committee of the Regions. She believed passionately that a united Europe was essential to avoid conflict.
She is survived by me, and by her mother, her daughter, Ahisha, grandson, Malakai, sister, Jennifer, and brother, Edwin.She is survived by me, and by her mother, her daughter, Ahisha, grandson, Malakai, sister, Jennifer, and brother, Edwin.