THE varied life of a charismatic and inspirational Newport woman was celebrated with champagne last Friday.

Adventurer, writer and well-known local character Anne Lewis-Smith died at home on May 11th, aged 86.

Friends and family gathered at the Boat Club on Friday afternoon to celebrate her life at a champagne wake.

Mrs Lewis-Smith was widely known for her poetry and prose writing, as well as being a leading figure in the ballooning world.

She produced 12 poetry books, with ‘A Place Apart’ coming out last year.

Her work was held in high regard and was recognised when by the Dorothy Tutin Award in 1975.

She was editor to six different publications, publisher of Envoi Poets Publications, which included poets from all over the world, and had also worked as a journalist.

She was attached to Bletchley Park as a Wren during the war, and her book ‘Off Duty!’ is a humorous illustrated account of her time there.

She was an active member of the community and several local organisations, and provided support for many individuals.

She died a few days before her 67th wedding anniversary.

Her husband Peter said: “She was very active and took a lot of keeping up with.”

Her determination took her on many adventures, such as travelling against all odds, to the Faroe Islands via fishing trawler in rough seas, and walking from Bedfordshire to Cenarth.

She travelled the world promoting and representing the world of ballooning, and helped set up the world’s first museum dedicated to ballooning.

She was former editor of international ballooning magazine Aerostat, and was involved with organising the first ballooning World Championships in the UK.

A founder member of the British Balloon Museum and Library, her work was acknowledged by a number of awards, including the Debbie Warley Trophy for Services to Aviation in 1983, presented by Prince Andrew.

Her daughter Jennifer said: “She touched the lives of everyone she met.

“She’s a pretty hard act to follow. We are all very proud of her.”

Mrs Lewis-Smith leaves her husband Peter, three children Jennifer, Chris-topher and Nicola; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.