22/10/24

Earlier today, a Service of Thanksgiving was held at Llandaff Cathedral to honour the life of Councillor Jane Henshaw, The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Cardiff.

The service, which commenced at 11am, was a heartfelt tribute to Councillor Henshaw, who passed away peacefully on 21st September 2024.

Cllr Henshaw was known for her unwavering dedication and service to the community, and she leaves behind a legacy of compassion and commitment to public service.

The memorial was officiated by The Very Reverend Dr Jason Bray, Dean of Llandaff, who led the congregation in remembering and celebrating the life and contributions of Councillor Henshaw. 

Among the readings were "The View from the Window" by RS Thomas, read by Rosie White, and a scripture reading from Ecclesiastes 3.1-8, ‘For everything there is a time,' read by Fr Dean Atkins. The congregation remained seated for the anthem ‘In Paradisum' from Fauré's Requiem. Another scripture reading, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, was delivered by Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones. A touching ‘Tribute From a Friend' was given by Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council.

The Reverend Canon Stewart Lisk, Honorary Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, read a scripture passage from John 14.1-7, ‘I go to prepare a place for you.' The congregation was then invited to kneel or sit for the prayers, led by Reverend Canon Dr Jan van der Lely, Canon Chancellor. The hymns included "For the Beauty of the Earth," "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer," and "Lord for the Years."

Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, expressed his deep sorrow, saying, "The passing of Cllr Jane Henshaw is a profound loss for Cardiff. She was a tireless advocate for our city and its residents, always striving to make Cardiff a better place for everyone. Her dedication to public service will not be forgotten, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her."

Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones, shared her condolences, saying, "Jane was a beacon of hope and kindness in our community. Her smile was contagious and lit up the lives of all who met her. Her commitment to helping those in need was truly inspiring. She had a unique ability to connect with people and make them feel valued. She was proud to be Lord Mayor of Cardiff and of the Lord Mayor's Own Scout Troop. We will miss her."

Cllr Rodney Berman, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group at Cardiff Council, said, "Jane was such a passionate advocate for her community, and I had the pleasure of serving with her on some of the council's scrutiny committees over a number of years. She always had a valuable contribution to make and wasn't afraid at times to ask awkward questions about the issues she cared about. She was well liked and respected by all and will be deeply missed."

Cllr John Lancaster, Leader of the Conservative Group at Cardiff Council, said, "Jane was dedicated to the service of her community and the wider city, and was particularly proud to serve as Lord Mayor, being especially keen to use her term to benefit her chosen Cardiff Foodbank charity. Her warmth and friendliness will long be remembered by Councillors on all sides, together with her love of nature and environmental issues."

Chief Executive, Paul Orders, also paid tribute, stating, "Cllr Henshaw's kindness, grace and desire to help those in need left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She was a source of compassion to so many. The Lord Mayor's empathy and support for staff were second to none. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time."

Cllr Henshaw represented the Splott ward and had been serving as a Labour councillor since 2017. Her tenure was marked by numerous achievements, including initiatives to improve local infrastructure, support for community projects, and efforts to promote cultural and social inclusivity.

One of her most notable contributions was her support for the Cardiff Foodbank, her chosen charity during her tenure as Lord Mayor. She was deeply committed to addressing food insecurity and poverty in the community. Speaking when taking up her role as Lord Mayor, Cllr Henshaw said, "Through my work on the Council, I have seen at first hand the great work the staff and the volunteers at the charity do, how they are changing lives in these difficult times and helping people out of poverty. It is a sad fact of life today that they exist at all, of course, but I am determined to help Cardiff Foodbank in any way I can this year."

Cllr Henshaw leaves behind her partner Bill, four children, and five grandchildren. Her daughter, Angharad Anderson, supported her as the Lady Mayoress. As a mark of respect, flags flew at half-mast from council buildings across Cardiff, to mark her passing. 

The family expressed their sincere gratitude to the University Hospital Wales, Velindre Hospital, and Marie Curie Hospice. They also conveyed their appreciation for the condolences received. In honour of Jane, donations can be made to Cardiff Foodbank, her Mayoral Charity.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Lord Mayor's Cardiff Foodbank fundraiser can do so here https://localgiving.org/fundraising/CardiffLordMayorsCharityAppeal2024