Tributes to woman 'at heart of Hucknall'

He says: "I am very sorry to learn of Maureen's death. She was very much at the heart of Hucknall and was committed over many years to working with the local community to improve the area.

"As secretary of the International Byron Society, she successfully promoted Hucknall as a centre of Byron tourism.

"Her drive and energy ensured that Hucknall and Byron were inextricably linked around the world. She will be greatly missed."

The rector of Hucknall, Canon Linda Church, said: "Maureen worked untiringly for what she believed in and she was equally concerned with everybody across the whole social spectrum."

"She wholeheartedly supported the John Godber Centre and rallied people to raise money for the Parish Church heating fund."

Coun Chris Baron, a Hucknall Labour member of Notts County Council, said Maureen's death had come as a 'great shock.'

He added: "She was a great friend to me personally and, through Newstead Abbey Byron Society and the International Byron Society, she worked extremely hard to put Byron in the public domain."

Hucknall librarian Sharon Wells said: "Maureen showed herself to be a real fountain of knowledge about Byron when we had any foreign visitors.

"I recall an occasion when she was on the phone for three-quarters of an hour with a young Greek who was interested in researching Byron."

Actor Ian Frost, who visits Hucknall every year with dramatist Bill Studdiford for the International Byron Festival, said: "It is more than 25 years since I first met Maureen at Newstead Abbey.

"Bill and I were immediately impressed by her commitment and dedication to Lord Byron's memory. It was not long before we discovered her warmth and kindness and we always enjoyed meeting with her each year."

In a presentation at the John Godber Centre during this year's festival, Ian told how he and Bill lost their way in Messolonghi, Greece, where Byron died in 1824.

When they mentioned Byron to a man they met in the street, his face lit up with instant recognition and he said: "Ah, Maureen Crisp!"

"Maureen was in the audience when we recounted that story and we were happy to hear her chuckle," said Ian. "Maureen's achievement over many years in promoting Byron will long be remembered.

"We will always remember her with affection and gratitude."

Other tributes have come from David Singleton on behalf of Hucknall Tourism and Regeneration Group and Maureen Newton for Hucknall Heritage Society.