A NEW running track in Frodsham is set to be named after a ‘magnificent, formidable’ councillor of 22 years who died recently.

Cheshire West and Chester Council agreed on Thursday to commemorate Marie Birkenhead, a former Vale Royal councillor and honorary alderman from Frodsham, by naming a new running track at Castle Park after her.

Members also agreed to work towards greater community leadership of Castle Park – including the option of transferring the asset from the council into a community-led body – and to engage with the community on further proposals in Mrs Birkenhead’s honour.

Cllr Andrew Dawson, Conservative CWAC member for Frodsham, said: “She was a true inspirational force of nature.

“Castle Park was so close to her heart, and to the heart of her husband Frank. They were instrumental in setting up the arts centre there.

“She was a pioneer in terms of health and fitness, she ran many, many marathons.

“She was a feminist when it was hard to be a feminist. I’m a feminist in her image – anyone who can stand up and demand for equal rights for anyone and everyone irrespective of anything has all of our respect.

“She was a foster carer, she also gave shelter to the homeless in addition to so much else that she did, and it would be very fitting if this council as trustee named the top field running track we are aiming to create in her honour.”

Cllr Lynn Riley, Conservative CWAC member for Frodsham, added: “There is not enough time and not enough superlatives to give you the very essence of the marvellous Marie Birkenhead – many things to many people.

“She literally spent her life opening up opportunities for others, believing passionately in equality of opportunity for women and their families.

“I for one am standing in this chamber today because she literally pressed me up against a wall and made me stand for council.

“She always stood up for what she believed was the right and proper thing to do. As a committed and passionate Catholic she set up a family planning clinic in Frodsham – again testament to her courage and conviction.

“She stood in this council chamber [Wyvern House, in Winsford] and tried to convince the local authority to create bottle banks to recycle glass bottles – and was voted down. Very much ahead of her time.”