Tributes paid to former Bexhill mayor who helped domestic abuse survivors

Megan Traice, who was awarded an MBE in 2011 for her service to the community, served on Rother District Council (RDC) from 1979 to 1991 and also helped found the St Jude’s Womens’ Refuge.

She was Mayor of Bexhill from 1988 to 1989.

The mother of three daughters – Jackie, Gillian and Pauline – Mrs Traice was remembered as a ‘campaigning local councillor’ who battled to save Bexhill Museum.

Remembering her mother, Pauline said: “She was the most wonderful grandmother to all her grandchildren.”

When Mrs Traice was confronted with the pain and anguish suffered by victims of domestic abuse, she decided to create a safe haven for them and campaigned to establish St Jude’s.

She found a premises and raised money to refurbish it, turning it into a much-loved haven for victims and their children. She later oversaw the refuge’s move into purpose-built facilities.

Mrs Traice also played a major role in the establishment of Pebsham Community Primary School. After discovering the lack of primary school provision in her east Bexhill patch, she upbraided the county education authority and, later, carried out a door-to-door canvass campaign to provide irrefutable evidence that a school was needed.

Mrs Traice first became involved with the museum when served it as RDC’s representative. John Betts, the museum’s immediate past chairman, said without Mrs Traice’s involvement in the years after veteran curator Henry Sargent’s death, the museum would have closed.

In recognition of her work at the museum – including one occasion when she scrubbed the floor herself when it was in dire need of a clean – Mrs Traice was later made its president.

Dr Anthony Leonard, executive director of Rother District Council, said: “Megan was a formidable woman who was always well presented and cared passionately about her community.

“She was instrumental in enhancing Bexhill Museum, working with the national Museums and Galleries Commission and helping to integrate the collections from the former costume museum in the Old Town.

“Megan was also the driving force behind the establishment of the St Jude’s Women’s Refuge, which has provided invaluable support to countless women over the years.

“I’m sure many people in Bexhill will, like us, be very saddened to hear of her passing and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”