ONE of Abergavenny best loved figures has died suddenly at her home at the age of 85

Mrs Betty Ambler, who moved from Abergavenny to Weston-super-Mare four years ago to be closer to her family, was a driving force behind many organisations in Abergavenny.

Although probably best known as a founder member of Abergavenny and District Tourist Association,?Mrs Ambler, alongside her late husband Henry, was also the founder and driving force behind the successful Arts Festival which attracted thousands of visitors to the town during the summer months.

She was also one of the organisers of the Abergavenny 900 celebrations, a long time chairman of Abergavenny in Bloom and a stalwart member of the local family history society Abergavenny and Border Counties Show committee, Abergavenny Civic Society and countless other groups and committees. The couple also ran the successful Blorenge Books for many years.

She was also a founding member of the campaign to bring a cinema to Abergavenny, working with other committee members to identify a site and an operator for the facility.

Mrs Ambler leaves two daughters Judith and Jan and three grandchildren Philippa, Julian and Georgia.

"My mother was very active and busy all the time. She died very suddenly at home, which was a wonderful thing for her," said her daughter Jan Nelson.

Paying tribute to Mrs Ambler Jenny Taylor of ADTA said, " Betty wasn't a native of Abergavenny but she took Abergavenny into her heart.

"She worked tirelessly, above her call of duty, to promote the town to enable others to experience Abergavenny and it's surroundings.  The work she did for Abergavenny and District Tourism Association will never be forgotten and she is  still fondly remembered by its current members. 

Mrs Ambler's funeral takes place on Friday, October 7 at Weston-super-Mare Crematorium at 3pm.