Tower and Town, March 2018

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Family News

Kay and Michael Cripps have a New Year’s Eve great-grandson Noah, born in Torquay to Alex and Anna Cripps. Anna is a doctor and Alex, who is still in medical training, is the son of Peter Cripps who locals will remember at St John's School at the time when our secondary schools became comprehensive. Congratulations and best wishes to all the family.

Deirdre Rix had settled down in Highfield Care Home (See April 2017 edition of Tower and Town) but sadly she died less than a year later. She had been physically frail for some years but her strong, caring character shone through and we will always remember her lovely smile. Our deep sympathy to Alan and their daughter, Alison, and her family.

Stephen 'Flash' Gilbert was born and died in the excellent care of Savernake Hospital. He was a carpenter and worked as a premises supervisor at St. John's School. He had enjoyed playing football and golf, and followed horse racing. But most of all he was a family man, a great support to his mother Joyce, and he enjoyed spending time with his partner Hannah's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce, his sister Jane, Hannah, and his step-children Marcus, Matthew, Nicky and Chris were comforted by the very large number of friends celebrating his life at Kingsdown Crematorium.

Frank Nash died on December 12th after a long illness. In 1954 he left his large, close family in Limerick to work at Gordon Richards' stables in Ogbourne Maizey. He was Jockeys’ Boxing Champion for six years running. He and Wendy met at Marlborough swimming pool and they married in 1961. They had six children, twelve grandchildren and three much loved great-grandchildren. He was a keen and successful gardener. The funeral was at St. Thomas More Church. Our sympathy to Wendy and all his family.

Noel Waite and his wife Margaret had both been ill at home in Manton for a long time. He died in Bassett House, Royal Wootton Bassett. He was born in Lockeridge. the family moved to Elcot Lane in the 40's. He was an electrician at James Shop in the High St. After training at night school to be a draughtsman he worked at Vickers, Swindon and then Scorpion Engineering in Elcot Lane. He was a Town Councillor for some years. He thoroughly enjoyed life and had many hobbies, gardening, poetry, bowls, football, rugby and he had always collected local and Wiltshire postcards and photographs. He will be sadly missed by Margaret, his son, Nick and daughter-in-law, Jayne, their daughters, Amy and Laura, and his brother Neville. 

Diana Devonshire, who died recently, will be remembered as a teacher at Ramsbury and St. Mary's Schools in the 80's. After retirement she trained in Fine Art and created beautiful pottery; she was part of the annual Open Studios. Another of Diana's legacies was the creation of the much acclaimed play area in Minal which has proved to be extremely popular across a wide area. She was much loved and an inspiration to her husband, Brian, children, Sarah, Andy and Sophie, and grandchildren. They celebrated her life in Mildenhall Church.

Peter and Elaine Emery, next year's captains at Marlborough Golf Club, organised a team of former captains to enter the quiz Egg Heads on BBC2, and named themselves The Thistle Heads. The thistle is the golf club's emblem. The other team members were Ruth Hodgson, Richard Pickles and Alan Prior, and Jilly Hunter was the reserve. They stayed overnight in Glasgow and had an interesting and exciting time. They were sworn to secrecy about the result. The programme will be aired in late summer.

Audrey Peck