A FORMER Downing Street press officer who turned her skills to supporting community organisations in her adopted Hampshire hometown has died.

Jean Denham, who passed away earlier this month in her native Kent, moved to Romsey in the early 1990s and embraced the market town’s community from the off, writes Sylvia Roverato (Secretary to the Romsey Hospital League of Friends).

She had grown up in Rainham and started working life with a junior position at the Gas Board. She then went to work for the Labour Party and soon found herself in the press office at Number Ten Downing Street during the premierships of Harold Wilson and James Callaghan

Jean left Number 10 when Labour lost the 1979 election but continued her press work, first with the BBC and then with Central TV, where she worked until her retirement.

She moved to Romsey having got to know the town through a childhood friend.

Her reminiscences of life at Number10 were popular with many Romsey groups who invited her as a speaker.

Jean joined the Romsey and District Society (RDS), serving a stint on the executive committee. She was also a regular at their poetry readings and enjoyed choosing and reciting poems for others to share.

She was also a reader for the Talking Newspaper, contributed pieces to local journals such as those of the local history society LTVAS and RDS, and a friend of King John’s Garden.

However, her most significant contribution came during 15 years with Romsey Hospital Appeal and League of Friends.

Jean had suffered from polio as a child and had spent time in an ‘iron lung’ and these early experiences meant she valued the work of the NHS.

She was recruited by Dr John White in the early days of the hospital appeal and proved to be a huge asset.

Using the skills honed at Downing Street, Jean never missed an opportunity to use the press to its full potential for fundraising or to report on the improvements to the hospital. During her time with the appeal it raised more than £1m.

Jean also became a trustee of the League of Friends and served more than ten years as its chairman, continuing to mastermind publicity and write its newsletter.

Jean’s funeral is due to take place at Medway Crematorium on Tuesday at 12.45pm.