TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Pickering's great characters who was actively involved in supporting the local community and promoting access to the countryside.

Betty Hood, who passed away earlier this month, aged 83, was a trustee of Pickering Memorial Hall for many years and one of the original team who oversaw its transformation into a community facility.

Secretary to the trustees, Mal Danks, said: "Betty was a tireless member of the fund-raising group and would turn her hand to anything from stacking chairs to running 'Night Owl' sequence dances and attending every event that was designed to benefit Hall funds.

"She never sought the limelight for herself but was always willing to take on the less popular jobs, washing up, cleaning equipment, turning up before time for the Hall's activities and staying to the very end to make sure that everything was 'done and dusted' to her satisfaction."

Mal said Betty lived her whole life in the area and she and her late husband, Colin, spent a great deal of time chatting to Hall visitors and making them feel at home.

"She was responsible for developing the 'Friends of the Hall' association and would hand deliver newsletters over long distances in all weathers," she added.

" Betty knew many people in Pickering and was a fund of local knowledge. In addition to her work with the Hall, Betty was also a keen member of the Town's Civic Society and played her part in bringing the flood defences to Pickering.

Mal said: "She was always reliable and always hard working. All her colleagues will miss her and send their deepest sympathy to her family.

Clive Inman, from Norton, who knew Betty for many years as a fellow walker, said she was activity involved in promoting walking and access to the countryside locally,

"Her involvement with walkers' interests came at a time when means of access into the countryside was severely restricted and Betty had to negotiate with influential local landowners and farmers with little support, as rambling was dismissed as a 'minor pursuit' and not one to be encouraged," he added.

"Betty and her husband may be remembered by the older generation hereabouts, however I feel that younger residents of this area should be made aware of the sterling work done by Betty and hope that they appreciate the access to many local paths and bridleways which resulted from her endeavours made on our behalf against strong opposition."