Tower and Town, August 2016

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Family News

Julie and Brian Presley's son, Aaron, married Emily Skinner at Preshute Church on June 11th. They were taken by Fire Engine from the church to the reception at Wick Bottom Barn. Aaron's brother, Wayne, was best man. The bridesmaids were Leanne Presley, Claire and Lou Avis and Lauren Yorke. Their 9 month old son, Mason, was one of the stars of a wonderful day. They honeymooned in Majorca.

Rose Edwards died, aged 91, in her bungalow in Coldharbour Lane which was built by her late husband, Happy Edwards, 60 years ago. She worked in her father's cafe in Hackney during the blitz, moving to Wilton, Pewsey to be a land girl. After marrying Happy she worked in his building firm's office and later in the Gas Showroom opposite Bridge Garage. She was a family woman and lived for her children, Lynne, Chrissie and Barry, her eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She always had cats and dogs and completed a crossword every day until her last illness when she said she was ready to go and was cared for by her daughters.

Residents of Rogers Meadow will remember Ann Gillett, nee Hitchman, who died recently, having moved to Devon with her daughter. She attended the Grammar School here in the late 1940's and came back to Marlborough for some years when she retired. Her funeral at East Grafton Church was attended by her three daughters and their families and friends, including six of her old school friends.

Vera Hamblin's granddaughter, Frances Hamblin, has achieved a 1st class degree in Biology from Oxford University. She lives in Easton Royal and attended St John's School. Congratulations to Frances. She is the second of Vera's grandchildren with a 1st from Oxbridge.

Bethana Branston, who lives in Cherry Orchard, is going to receive an award from the Royal Humane Society for taking action to save the life of a man who collapsed at Swindon bus station. She performed CPR and the patient recovered at Great Western Hospital What amazing presence of mind! Well deserved, Bethana.

Alf, our former Town Crier, is keeping busy visiting Coombe End Court where his wife, Ann, was cared for before she died. He told me he enjoys meeting other shoppers when he is in town on his scooter and he said, with the usual twinkle in the eye, he knows he is still alive because I haven't mentioned him in the family news!

Ann Yates has just completed her Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride. With her friend Jennifer, she took six weeks to cover a scenic route of 1,107 miles. She says, “It was a great experience riding through beautiful countryside, but what really stands out is the kindness of so many of the people we met on the way.” Ann is raising money for Alabaré Christian Care and Support, a Salisbury-based charity, founded to help vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our communities. If you would like to donate to Alabaré (reg. charity no. 1006504) go to: www.give.net and find fundraiser Ann Yates, or contact her on 514827.

Audrey Peck