WELL-KNOWN Herefordshire personality Jen Green has died leaving behind a legacy of her work as a successful writer and broadcaster.

Born at the start of the Second World War, ‘Jen the Pen’ as she was affectionately known, was never afraid of courting controversy.

Her book, The Morning of Her Day, published in 1987 lifted the lid on a Victorian tragedy in Presteigne, and her most recent work published a year ago, A Small Nuclear Fallout raised hackles when she planned an unusual launch at Leominster’s nuclear bunker.

At one time a Hereford Times reporter, Jen had been prompted to write her first book when she spotted a curiously inscribed gravestone at Presteigne.

Her interest led to research into the tragic story of Mary Morgan who was tried and hanged in 1805.

Long surrounded with intrigue - a second headstone in the churchyard states: ‘He that is without sin among you, Let him first cast a stone at her’ - was to spur Jen into action.

Three years later, she had abandoned a comfortable lifestyle in the Home Counties to live in a half-timbered cottage in Presteigne High Street, turning the ground floor into a coffee shop later known as the ‘Happy Nut’.

She later explained: “Determined to right a wrong, I took on the defence of a 17-year-old servant girl hanged for the murder of her bastard child and despite some hostility and years of research exposed a gross miscarriage of justice by a corrupt English legal system.”

The first, self-published edition of the book sold out and a second edition was produced by a small Knightsbridge publishing house.

In 2011 her book, ‘What Ever Happened to Trixie Skyrme’ was published, traceing the life of an early 20th century Herefordshire woman who was described as the “most dangerous and unscrupulous” adventuress Scotland Yard had ever had on their books. Last January, the author and raconteur attempted to launch her book, ‘A Small Nuclear Fallout’, about three Greenham Common women’s anti-nuclear protest movement, in the underground bunker built at Leominster during the Cold War.

She claimed the property owner had “banned” her from launching her book, with its liberal dose of British humour, in the unique setting beneath Arkwright Court, a sheltered retirement living scheme of 35 one-bedroomed apartments. At the time, the social housing provider Stonewater stated that they had not received the necessary information to progress with the unusual plans.

Earlier in her career, Jen had joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service, later working in mechanical engineering. She took senior posts in university and arts administration in London, followed by a move into executive management with the Family Planning Association. After her move to the Welsh border country she worked as a freelance reporter and feature writer, though eventually concentrated on her books.

She was a much in demand as an after-dinner speaker and when she found time enjoyed visits to the cinema, watching cricket and writing poetry. With her strong circle of friends, she was often to be found “putting the world to rights” in a local cafe.