Tributes have been paid to a “community champion” who was instrumental in a campaign to save a much-loved library.

Susan De Swarte, former chair of the Norwood Community Forum, died on March 17 after a brief illness. She was 68.

Jamal Rahman, programme director at Norwood Community Group Services, said Mrs De Swarte was particularly influential in exposing the reasons behind the closure of Nettlefold Hall, a community building in West Norwood.

The hall, which is connected to West Norwood library, suffered significant damage after thieves stole copper wiring from the roof. It was subsequently shut in June.

Repair work has since begun but the library budget faces being cut by about 48 per cent following a public consultation by Lambeth Council.

Mr Rahman said: “[Susan] was making people notice about it when they were closing the library and Nettlefold Hall. She made sure everything came out into the light.”

He went on: “She had the respect of the community. She used to stick to her guns. She was a champion for the area.”

Mr Rahman added Mrs De Swarte, a widow who lived in Mount Pleasant, West Norwood, was committed to helping local people.

“She was always on the case. Deep down she was a woman who cared about the community,” he said.

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