A distinguished former Chairman and President of the Bury St Edmunds Constituency Conservative Association, Jill Simpson, died at her home, Horsecroft Hall, on 20th July 2014, aged 90 years old.

An indomitable leader and campaigner for the party at local and regional level, Jill also found time to engage in a wide range of public and voluntary organisations, including WRVS. In 1974 she was awarded an MBE for her part in setting up a refugee camp at Stradishall for Ugandan Asians fleeing persecution from President Adi Amin.

She was a Suffolk County Councillor from 1974- 1985, serving, amongst other things as chairman of the Social services committee.

Her tireless work for the Association spanned several decades.  As chairman, she oversaw the election of Richard Spring as the MP for Bury St Edmunds in 1992, and finally retired from the role when boundary changes were introduced in 1997.

In 1995 she was rewarded with a CBE for Public and political Services.

 She continued to take an interest in politics and did much to encourage others to do so.  To those who knew her, she will be sadly missed.