A memorial to “The Pink Imp” has been unveiled at a park in Evesham.
The Simon de Montfort Society gathered to remember the life of founding member and long-time chairman, Iris Pinkstone.
A bench has now been installed at Abbey Park to serve as a permanent reminder of her work.
Speaking at Saturday’s unveiling, the society’s chair David Snowden said: “We are met today around a memorial to a remarkable lady, Iris Pinkstone, who liked to be called “The Pink Imp”, a symptom of her mischievous and irrepressible soul.
“Iris suffered recurring ill health, particularly affecting her mobility, although she rarely slowed down and faced her ailments with characteristic impatience and frustration.
“Despite this, she seemed to us to be eternal and indestructible.”
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An award-winning historian, Miss Pinkstone died on May 22, 2022, aged 88 at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Just days before her death, she announced her intention of stepping down as chair of the Simon de Montfort.
The society was founded in 1987 with the aim of celebrating Evesham’s history.
Members donated money to purchase the bench, with assistance from Wychavon District and Evesham Town councils.
Mr Snowden continued: “Iris’s interest in Evesham’s history, her ‘third career’ as she called it, began with a television broadcast by Alex Clifton Taylor.
“He described the importance of the 1265 Evesham Battlefield and its neglected condition.
“Once Iris's interest was fired, there was no stopping her.
“Today, Evesham enjoys the fruits of her dedication, including the images of Evesham's history that she left embedded in the pavements of Vine Street and High Street.
“The number of people who now attend medieval-themed events and who enjoy the restored Battlewell site, are a long way from Alex Clifton Taylor's concerns.”
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Miss Pinkstone used the society to raise the profile of Simon de Montfort, the important developments that arose from the Second Baronial Revolt, and the Battle of Evesham.
It was at her request that John Bercow, then Speaker of the House of Commons, attended the 750th anniversary of the Battle.
Her work was recognised in 2015 by the British Association of Local History who awarded her their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston also attended the unveiling.
He said: “I was honoured to participate in the unveiling of the late Iris Pinkstone’s bench in Abbey Park in recognition of her work championing Evesham's rich heritage and in particular through her founding and continued support of the Simon de Montfort Society."
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