Tower and Town, November 2016

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Family News

Graham Smith has moved in to a flat at Churchill Court. He had a serious stroke in July last year and has been living with his parents, Alan and Edna in Cherry Orchard while recovering. He took early retirement from Nationwide in Bournemouth and had been enjoying his hobbies, walking the coastal paths and reading. He recently sold his flat in Bournemouth to come back to Marlborough' Good luck to Graham in his new home.

Alf Hopwood died in Highfield Residential Home in September. Born in North Wales he started work in a bank. In 1945 he joined the RAF and spent the next 3 years in Singapore, Burma & Malaysia before returning to live in Birmingham and study at Aston Technical College. He met his wife Audrey at a dance and they married in 1954 moving to Swindon in 1960 where Alf worked at Metal Box Plc. They had daughters Kay & Jenny before moving to West London in 1966. Alf’s interests included current affairs, travelling, camping, taking cars apart and Bowls. Alf & Audrey retired to Castle Court in 2007 where Kay was living in Marlborough with her family. Jenny left London the same year and settled with her family in Savernake Forest. Alf and Audrey enjoyed walking – particularly in Preshute along the River Kennet but Audrey was diagnosed with Alzheimers and Alf cared for her at home until June 2015. Alf was supported at Castle Court by Kay & Jenny but also by the brilliant Monica Hall. Audrey sadly died at Marlborough Lodge in March of this year and Alf never really recovered from losing her. Family and friends including Ken, Alf’s brother and all his Welsh Relatives celebrated Alf’s life at Kingsdown Crematorium on 27th September. Our sympathy to all the family

Ann Johnson's family are very proud of their super-literate mother and grandmother. She won Marlborough Literary Festival competition for a sonnet written to reply to a Shakespeare sonnet. She was presented with £100 prize and declared to be the Bard of Marlborough.

Over seventy friends and family gathered in St Mary’s on 9th October for a service of thanksgiving for Joseph Skeaping who, with his wife Dot and their children, lived for many years in Silverless Street. Joe himself would have been delighted by the obvious affection with which he was held and by the warmth of the occasion. Joe’s daughter, Lizzie, spoke simply but movingly of her father’s patience, the way he didn’t judge people and accepted them as they were. His son Joey, gave a vivid picture of life with Joe. People stayed behind in the church for the wake swapping stories about the many and different ways Joe had touched their lives. Our special thoughts are with Dot, Joey, Lizzie and the family.

Audrey Peck