A FORMER mayor of Cleethorpes, who was well-known for running donkey rides on the beach and dedicating her life to helping others, has passed away aged 85.

Tributes have been paid to Gladys Nuttall, who died peacefully in her sleep at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital on August 3, surrounded by family and loved ones.

As well as serving as a Conservative councillor in the resort for more than 15 years, Gladys was elected mayor between 1988 and 1989 – a role she relished.

Along with husband Stanley – better known as Buster – she ran Nuttall's donkey rides on Cleethorpes beach until poor health forced them to hand the business over to son John, 54, partner Michelle, 37, and grandson Edward, 19.

Eldest daughter Jane, 61, of New Waltham, said words could not sum up the many things Gladys achieved during her life.

"Mum did so much for so many people that it's impossible to remember everything," she said.

"She was an amazing lady who always put others before herself and would do anything she could to help.

"Apart from her family, Cleethorpes was the love of her life.

"She loved the beach and the people and she was always out and about.

"She was so passionate about making it even better and that is why she was such a popular councillor.

"My children used to call her 'nanny who burns the toast' because she would get up in the morning, put the toast on and then get preoccupied helping people on the phone and it would set on fire!"

Born in Mansfield and raised in Burton-on-Trent, Gladys worked as a nurse near to her family home in Tickhill, near Doncaster, before serving in the Land Army during the Second World War.

It was during a stint at a glass blowing factory near Doncaster that she developed a bad chest, which led to her first visit to Cleethorpes.

Gladys and a friend travelled to the resort in 1948 to see if the sea air would help her condition and it was then that she met Buster, who was running donkey rides on the beach.

The couple married at Old Clee Church just five months later and Gladys joined the Nuttall family business.

Nuttall's had been running donkey and horse and cart rides on Cleethorpes beach since before the First World War and the business was passed on to the newlyweds.

Buster said: "She was a beautiful woman and I fell in love with her at first sight.

"She was always happy go lucky and we had a very happy marriage.

"We never did anything without asking for the other one's opinion and we were very close."

Gladys and Buster had three children and went on to have seven grandchildren and four great- grandchildren, of whom they were very proud.

She was especially proud of Jane winning a number of hairdressing competitions, of John passing his farrier exams and of Joanne winning gold prizes for horseriding in the mini special Olympics.

As well as working donkeys on the beach, Gladys became involved in local politics, leafleting for other election candidates before being persuaded to stand herself.

Despite losing her first election in the North ward of Cleethorpes, Gladys persevered and was elected in the Alexander ward (later Croft Baker) a year later.

Gladys and Buster's youngest daughter, Joanne, 48, was born with down's syndrome, something which prompted Gladys to campaign tirelessly for better opportunities for disabled people in the town.

As well as bringing the national mini special Olympics to the resort on two occasions, Gladys also founded Cleethorpes And Grimsby Riding For The Disabled.

It was through this that she first met the charity's patron, Princess Anne, who she later met again at both Buckingham Palace and when she was nominated for a national award for inspirational women.

Because of her commitment to helping others, Gladys was invited to garden parties at the palace twice, where she mingled with the Queen, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, among other royals.

Former hairdresser Jane said: "Wherever we went in the country we always met somebody we knew and Buckingham Palace was no exception.

"The footman who helped us out of our limo was from Humberston and we also met a couple of friends at one of the parties who had saved us somewhere to sit.

"I remember the Cleethorpes MP at the time taking us to the House Of Commons for dinner the day before the Queen was meant to officially open parliament and when we got out of our car on to the red carpet, all the tourists started taking our photographs."

Gladys and fellow Ladybird Anne Jensen also enjoyed a trip to London's famous Claridge's hotel when she won Avon's In Praise Of Women award, after being nominated by Anne.

As part of her civic duties, Gladys also enjoyed a trip to Cleethorpes' twin town of Koningswinter, in Germany, and hosted German dignitaries on their return visit.

She took the German party to watch Stage One theatre group perform Jesus Christ Super Star and the dignitaries were so impressed that they asked the group to travel to Germany to stage the show.

Charitable Gladys also helped to raise thousands of pounds for charities over the years, including donating money to a donkey sanctuary in Devon.

She was also involved with Age Concern and Help The Aged and was a member of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Lions and Lionesses, which then became the Lionesses and eventually the Ladybirds.

As president of the Ladybirds she helped support dozens of local charities by organising fundraising events and also supported local people by volunteering to provide meals on wheels.

About six years ago, Gladys suffered a stroke and she also battled with a heart condition and dementia.

She was admitted to hospital six weeks ago and developed pneumonia before suffering heart failure.

Buster would like to thank nurses Sheena and Amelia, of Fieldhouse Medical Centre, who helped to care for Gladys.

Pay your respects

Gladys' funeral will take place at St Peter's Church, Cleethorpes, on Friday next week from 1.45pm, followed by an interment at Cleethorpes Cemetery.

Floral tributes should be sent to Mashfords Funeral Home, Norfolk Lane, Cleethorpes. Donations may also be made to Mashfords Donations Account with the final sum being forwarded to When You Wish Upon A Star.