HUNDREDS of people paid tribute to much-loved council leader Ann Ducker at a memorial service in Dorchester Abbey yesterday.

Nearly 500 South Oxfordshire constituents, friends, family and colleagues packed the abbey in a fitting public celebration of the long-serving politician.

Herald Series:

Ann Ducker

During the service, which was presided over by the Bishop of Dorchester, the congregation heard tributes from close friends and readings from her daughters Catherine Tustian and Sarah Ducker.

Mrs Tustian read Proverbs 31 and Ms Ducker read She Has Achieved Success by RL Stevenson, followed by a homily by Rev Paul Boughton.

Our top stories

The Dorchester Abbey Choir sang a beautiful rendition of “Look at the World” by John Rutter, and the spiritual “Amazing Grace”.

During the service London Mayor Boris Johnson, a colleague and family friend, eulogised the political career of Mrs Ducker.

In his irreverent style, he told stories of his dealings with the Conservative councillor – a former hairdresser – that had the congregation in fits of laughter.

He said: “My relationship with Ann did not get off to a flying start. From the moment she cast her eyes on me; she saw my haircut, my general appearance and was not at all impressed.”

Mr Johnson worked with Mrs Ducker during his time as MP for Henley, and recalled her refreshingly blunt style and her tenacious spirit.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail after the service, Mr Johnson said: “Mrs Ducker did a huge amount for me when I was MP for Henley.

“She was an inspiration and what she stood for was an ethic of public service that was incredibly important.

“She really did give her all for the people of South Oxfordshire.

“She did it genuinely out of love, she was fascinated by all the ways she could make people’s lives better.

“She was a big inspiration to me.”

Herald Series:

 Ann Ducker’s other daughter Catherine Tustian at the service

Mrs Ducker spent 32 years as a councillor for South Oxfordshire. During her career she was chairman of the council between 1992, becoming leader of the Conservative group in 1995 and eventually Leader of the Council in 2003.

A big tennis fan, she was shortlisted for the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Henley after the resignation of Mr Johnson in 2008. She narrowly missed out to the successful candidate, John Howell.

In 2010, her tireless work was recognised by the Queen when she was awarded the MBE for services to local government at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Mrs Ducker passed away on Sunday, September 21 after being diagnosed with cancer.

After the service, the family requested that donations be made to The Sue Ryder Hospice, Nettlebed and Dorchester Abbey in memory of Mrs Ducker.


  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.