Final farewell for dedicated councillor who was 'Hadley to the bone'
A town has said a final farewell to one of its most respected councillors, who died last month.
Family, friends, and members of the community gathered to bid goodbye to John Smart, who had served as chairman of Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council for seven years.
As a mark of respect to Mr Smart, who died on March 31, the Last Post was played by Craig Foskett as his funeral car stopped outside Hadley Methodist Church, on the way from the service at Holy Trinity Church, Hadley.
Due to current Covid restrictions, attendance at the funeral was limited to just 30 people.
But, owing to the numbers of those wishing to pay their respects, the service was streamed online.
Mr Smart, who was 77, served as council chairman from 2012 to 2019, but remained on the council until his death.
During his time as a councillor Mr Smart was heavily involved with helping local schools, and he also served as treasurer of Hadley Methodist Church for 17 years, before taking on responsibility for maintaining the church as property steward.
He had also been a committed fan of Shrewsbury Town, following the team home and away.
Mr Smart is survived by his wife Councillor Pat Smart, 77, who earlier this month explained that the community of Hadley had meant everything to him.
She said: "He went to school in Hadley, he was Hadley through and through. Hadley to the bone – and he was determined to use his time on the council to make things as nice as he could for people living here. He loved our community."
