MORE than 100 people turned up to the funeral of a former Worcester mayor and high sheriff as heartfelt tributes were paid to her.

Among the close family and friends who attended the 35-minute service of Rachel Clapton was Worcester’s current mayor Lucy Hodgson, as well as city council stalwarts Mike Layland, Margaret Layland, and Aubrey Tarbuck.

Speaking during the funeral at Worcester Cathedral Canon Alvyn Pettersen said he had known Mrs Clapton from her voluntary work at the cathedral and called her an elegant, dignified and friendly woman, who was always interested in other people.

He said: “She was concerned for people and wanted them to prosper. Rachel was one who thought life is for living, both her life and others.”

Canon Pettersen said Mrs Clapton also had “a most wonderful smile” that could diffuse difficult situations and put people at ease.

“It was a smile that could put smiles on other peoples’ faces,” he said.

Mrs Clapton, whose coffin was covered in pink, purple and white flowers, was also a devoted wife and mother to her childhood sweetheart and war hero John and their three children.

He said: “John was her pride. Ian, Keith and Jane were her delight.”

Mrs Clapton died earlier this month at Severn Heights Nurs-ing Home, Callow End, near Worcester. Aged 84, she was born and bred in Worcester and was educated at the city’s Girls’ Grammar School.

During the Second World War she worked on Worcestershire farms as a member of the Women’s Land Army, before marrying in 1944.

Together, the couple ran Clapton’s bakery in Sidbury, Worcester, and in 1962 Mrs Clapton was elected to represent All Saints ward on Worcester City Council. She was high sheriff in 1971 and mayor in 1972-73, later serving a second spell for a few weeks during local government reorganisation in 1974.

She later lost her seat in extraordinary circumstances during the May 1979 May. Conservative Mrs Clapton was defending her seat against Labour newcomer Pauline Thorpe when two recounts over five hours produced a tied result.

To break the deadlock, the women decided to draw two pieces of paper from a closed book and Mrs Clapton drew the shorter one which ended her 17 years of service on the city council. She never stood for election again.

A private cremation service followed yesterday’s funeral.