Tower and Town, October 2016

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Family News

Sheila Hanson has recently moved to College Fields from Priorsfield where she lived for nearly 36 years. She has a new grandson Samuel Matthew born in July to Ed and Sarah and living in Ealing, London. Samuel is cousin to Harry John born to Tom and Flo last September and living in Tavistock, Devon. 

Last year Barbara Bower was watching the youngsters enjoying Marlborough Fair rides and told me about her daughter, Jane's, friendship with Debbie Jennings. When they were teenagers Debbie used to spend time with Jane in her house behind Stratton's Grocery (now Dorothy Perkins) where Jane's father was manager while Debbie's parents were busy erecting their stalls and rides. The girls have kept in touch for more than 40 years.

Peter Banyard is well know as the picture framer who worked from the White Horse Book Shop until he retired. When Peter's mother died in Beverley the family found a letter addressed to his late father as Herr Banyard on December 23rd, 1935. It was to thank him for sending a safety strap, which he had found on the battle field in WW1 and came from the Red Baron's plane, back to Frau von Richthofen,the Red Baron's mother. It said she had been deeply touched and the strap would be added to the Richthofen Museum. The writer expressed his ambition of bringing both nations close together and stability back to Europe. They enclosed a photograph of the Red Baron.

Janet Louth's grandson, Harry Forbes, had exceptionally good results in A levels, A* Geography, A Government and Politics and A Maths. He is going to Magdalen College, Oxford to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Harry  was at St John's for the last two years but before that he was tutored at home by his mother, Anna, who is well known for her work with Action for the River Kennet.

Dorothy 'May' Greenaway died with her family by her side, on 5th August in Savernake Hospital, where she was loved and cared for by the wonderful staff. Prior to her fall in February, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, and the many friends she had made over the years. May was very young at heart, with a huge personality and loved to laugh and have fun. She enjoyed eating out and going on walks with the grandchildren and their partners, especially in Savernake Forest. She met the latest addition to her family a few weeks before she passed away. Florence May, her great grandchild was born on 12th June and brought her great joy and love, from the moment she was placed in her arms there was a unique bond between them. May grew up in Salisbury Road and continued living there after she married Ron. Even though she moved from Salisbury Road in later life, that would always be her home at heart. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Our deepest sympathy to all the family.

Audrey Peck