THE funeral of a nationally-renowned Winchester poet, Elizabeth Bewick, took place this week.

Ms Bewick, 92, pictured, had published several collections of well-received poems since the mid-1980s.

Her best-known work was Making a Roux, published in 2000, which contains several moving and tender poems about ageing.

Ms Bewick, formerly of Hyde Church Path, Hyde, passed away at Brendoncare in Park Road on March 23.

Born in County Durham, she moved to Winchester in 1961 to set up the School Library Service.

She wrote poetry all her life but only sought to publish her work after her retirement in the 1980s.

Cllr Dominic Hiscock, who represents Hyde on the city council, said the community would feel her loss.

He said: “She was a wonderful woman and she was always willing to become involved in community poetry events and was very supportive of local artists and writers in the area. She was much-loved by everybody who met her.”

Paul Williams, a trustee of the Hyde900 literary group who knew Elizabeth for 30 years, added: “Elizabeth was a great supporter of Hyde900 and came to many of the “Bring Your Own Literature” events that still take place in the basement of the Hyde Tavern. “Occasionally, if her escort failed to arrive, she would travel up Hyde Church Path by herself with her walking frame, in the dark, across uneven surfaces – and berate the hapless individual on arrival.” Rev Canon Cliff Bannister added: “She was a very intelligent, delightful lady with whom I enjoyed many conversations in the short time I knew her.”

Ms Bewick was highly active in Winchester poetry circles, belonging to Wykeham Poets and the Winchester Workshop. In 1994 she received the Southampton City Writers' award for her contributions to poetry.

Her funeral was held at St Bartholomew’s church in Hyde on Wednesday, April 4.