Caroline Pond

Published: 30 May 2025

Press Release

Caroline Pond

We are so sorry to report the death of former Loughton Town Councillor, Caroline Pond.

Caroline served as Town Councillor for Alderton Ward from 2004 to 2008, and for St Johns Ward from 2008 to 2024. She also served as Loughton Town Mayor from 2011 to 2012, and as District Councillor for St Johns Ward from 2002 to 2024.

She also served admirably as Chairman of Epping Forest District Council in the municipal year 2007 to 2008

Caroline will be greatly missed by all fellow Councillors and staff, past and present, at Loughton Town Council. She did not suffer fools gladly, but she was unfailingly kind and unassuming, with a quiet determination to get things done. She did not seek the limelight, it was never about Caroline, but her focus was purely on what she could achieve for the community.

During her time on Loughton Town Council, Caroline embraced her mayoral duties with great enthusiasm. Highlights of her tenure included opening the refurbished playground in Hillyfields, unveiling the newly built outdoor gym at Roding Valley Recreation Ground, presenting awards to the Town Mayor’s Best Allotment winners, speaking with veterans at the Debt of Honour display at Murray Hall, and enjoying a vintage bus ride during the Heritage Day Bus Rally. She also took part in the unveiling of the Heritage Blue Plaque on Woodcroft School, Baldwins Hill—formerly the home of Thomas Willingale—which now honours the acclaimed British neurosurgeon Sir Hugh Cairns, a pioneering advocate of crash helmets.

Caroline's love of nature and gardening left a lasting legacy. While serving on Epping Forest District Council, she fought hard to save and protect the beautiful spring display of daffodils along the raised area of Hillyfields on Rectory Road, when Essex County Council installed the cycle path, some decades ago now. They are still flourishing and a much-loved feature of the town.

She had the interests of Loughton and the wider Epping Forest District community at heart. Caroline gave her time generously to local causes, volunteering with Loughton Voluntary Care and the Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital, where she sadly passed away on 13 May following a long and debilitating illness.

Our heartfelt condolences are extended to her beloved husband, Chris, and their son, Ed.

Her funeral will take place on Tuesday 3 June, with a private burial at Loughton Cemetery followed by a memorial service at Loughton Methodist Church.

Memorial donations can be made to the EFDC chairman's charities, local charities including the Friends of St Margaret's Hospital, where Caroline died, and was her chosen charity in her year.

Mark Squire

Town Clerk

29 May 2025