Tributes paid to Wolverhampton estate 'legend'
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved community champion who has died at the age of 85.
Audrey Gibbins from the Scotlands estate in Bushbury, Wolverhampton, spent most of her life working to improve the area and help those less fortunate.
She spent her entire life on the estate, which she called her 'paradise', and is remembered for her fundraising and organising the Scotlands Carnival, for which she once got 60s chart-toppers Freddie and the Dreamers to open.
She set up the first play school nursery on Scotlands, on Masefield Road and also secured funding for the Neil Dougherty Education & Resource Centre on the same street, which she opened in 2001 with the then Wolverhampton North East MP Ken Purchase.
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment at Wolverhampton Council, said Audrey was a 'diamond' who 'will never be forgotten'.
"Audrey was a diamond, the jewel in the crown. She was thoughtful, selfless, and always prepared to help someone less fortunate than herself," he said.
"She was a local hero, and a legend over many decades.
"She was never formally honoured, but anybody who had contact with her would have agreed we were honoured to have had her.
"A little lady, but with a big heart. She had a real sense of awareness and determined to make improvements.
"She was a one-off and she will never be forgotten by the people of the Scotlands."
Audrey's commitment to fundraising started with local football team Ruskin Rovers, for which she raised money for kits and equipment.
Residents have also taken to the Facebook group 'Life on the Scotlands' to pay tribute to Audrey.
Kevin Williams wrote: "They broke they mould when this wonderful lady set foot on the Scotlands.
"Never before had anyone seen such true grit and determination in a woman that was drove on through compassion for her beloved Scotlands estate.
"For years she fought many battles with even the best judges and always won. Audrey wasn't just a tenant on the Scotlands... Audrey was the Scotlands and in many hearts always will be."
He added: "It is because of Audrey many of us can hold our heads high and proud and never be ashamed of where we live. She was and always will be a very special lady."
Tracey Hindley wrote: "A true straight talking lady gone to spread her wings. Rest in paradise Audrey the Scotland's will miss you and all you did for us kids when growing up."
And Jack Sparra added: "No one will ever really know what she did for the people and the estate, a lot of what she did to help folk was done behind the scenes, you just don't get people like that any more. RIP Audrey"
She was born in Uttoxeter and went into service in her teens as a house maid, but moved to the Scotlands after meeting boxer Len 'bumper' Worley, who she married in 1949.
Len passed away in 1993, and three years later she married Douglas Gibbins. He passed away in 2006.
She is survived by nine children - Ken, Evelyn, Colin, Sylvia, Leonard, Tina, David, Stewart and Angela.
Audrey is also survived by her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Her funeral was held at St Mary's Church, Bushbury Lane on Thursday and over 300 people were in attendance including Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Ian Brookfield.
