Tower and Town, November 2020

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Family News

Gillian Watson, of River Park (and formerly West Manton) Marlborough, passed away peacefully on 7th July 2020 with her family at her side, after a short illness.

Gillian, her husband, David, together with their family moved to Marlborough in 1985. She quickly became involved in the community and participated in a wide variety of groups. She was a director of the Jubilee Centre from 1999-2003. For several years she was chair of the Marlborough branch of the Women’s World Day of Prayer. David and Gillian were the Mayor and Mayoress of Marlborough from 2001-2002. Both she and her husband were active members of the Local Conservative party. At Preshute church Gillian took part in services by reading the lesson and saying the prayers and she also organised the flower arranging rota. Her family would like to pass their thanks to her friends at the church who provided such great support and friendship to her.

Gillian enjoyed her time in Marlborough and her family will remember this period as probably the happiest in her lifetime. After a private family cremation service (broadcast via video) that took place in July, her family plan to hold a memorial service at Preshute once Covid-19 restrictions have eased to allow family and friends to attend.

Carol and Tom Cridland moved to Manton from Somerset in the summer of 1971. Tom had previously been based at Yeovilton in the Fleet Air Arm and when they moved he had just joined what was then BOAC.

Their son, then three and a half, went to the play-school in the village hall and was probably a founder member. Their daughter, five, went to Preshute school which was then half the size it is now.

Tom continued to fly with BOAC/BA until he retired for the first time. He then went to Singapore and flew with Singapore Airways for two years before coming home to fly with Virgin for a further two years before a final retirement - this time for good!

They loved living in Manton and appreciated having the convenience of Marlborough on the doorstep. They were glad they decided to settle in the area and, in retirement, enjoyed their garden and the company of very good friends in the village and surrounding area.

Tom passed away peacefully on July 17th 2020.

We send our condolences to the families of Gillian and Tom.

Jessy Pomfret