TRIBUTES have been paid to a "champion of local history" who died suddenly.
Margaret Smith, a well-known Blue Badge tourist guide and lifelong resident of Salisbury, died on Tuesday, September 23.
She was awarded the title of West Country Blue Badge Tourist Guide in 1981 by the West Country Tourist Board, combining her professional credentials with a lifelong passion for local history.
Despite working full-time for the Department of Social Security in Salisbury and later teaching in Southampton, Margaret led guided tours in Salisbury, Stonehenge, and across the region.
She also served on the committee of the Association of Wessex Tourist Guides and represented the group at regional meetings of the British Guild of Tourist Guides.
Georgina Haynes, a fellow guide, said: "Margaret was a champion of local history and especially the story of Salisbury, which she loved to share with fellow guides and visitors alike.
"Her knowledge was extensive, and her strength as a researcher was second to none.
"Margaret also guided at Stonehenge for over 35 years and organised numerous student groups that visited the World Heritage site several times a year from the US and Europe.
"She was a much valued member of Salisbury City Guides and will be greatly missed."
Margaret was well-known for her work on the JMW Turner and John Constable walks in partnership with Salisbury Museum, guiding visitors through the locations that inspired the artists' iconic paintings of the city and cathedral.
She was also the chief lecturer on Salisbury and Wiltshire for recent Blue Badge courses in the south of England, generously sharing her knowledge with trainee guides.
Tributes to Margaret Smith(Image: Georgina Haynes)
A familiar figure in Salisbury, Margaret was often seen leading groups through the city's historic streets.
She regularly volunteered her time for community events, offering a free St George's Day Walk each year with a fellow guide.
She worked closely with Salisbury Festival organisers to design new themed walks for the festival programme.
In 2002, to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee, she researched and documented all monarchs who had visited or had connections to Salisbury.
In 2019, she created a Victorian Salisbury walk to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth.
Margaret was also a founding member of the Sarum Chronicle, an annual journal dedicated to the history of Salisbury and its surroundings.
She ran the local history group and was an active member of both the Salisbury Civic Society and Salisbury Museum.
Elizabeth Keatinge, another fellow guide, said: "Wessex archaeology and Hardy's Wessex were two of her many specialist subjects.
"She also took on vital roles within the Association of Wessex Tourist Guides.
"She saw the potential for 'Ghost Tours' in Salisbury, which she made sure contained only accurate historic information."
Ruth Newman said: "Her passion for Constable and Turner in Salisbury was Margaret at her absolute best, outstanding knowledge, very clear and hugely enthusiastic."
Sally Peel said: "Every guide in Salisbury knew Margaret, and if we needed to check anything when doing our research, she was the person you asked.
"Her love of the city was very evident, and she will be very much missed."
Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, October 22, at 11 am at St Andrew's Church in South Newton, Salisbury.