Tower and Town, February 2016 (view the full edition)Family NewsCongratulations to Betty and Bert Smith on their Diamond Wedding. They were married in Potterne Church in 1955 and lived in Devizes, coming to Marlborough 32 years ago to work at the College and have lived in York Place for six years. They celebrated with their sons, David and Michael, and their grandchildren at a party in December. John Mack has made and taught guitar here for 42 years. Musicians have played his guitars in USA, Canada, Australia and Norway as well as the UK. John was delighted when Calne Music Festival booked the Corlibri Trio to play in honour of his work. The trio included John Mills, former Guitar Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, his wife, Cobie, and Rod Faulkner playing a varied programme on John's instruments. The evening ended with cutting a huge guitar shaped cake and wine. We are all sad for Steve Cox whose wife, Deborah, died suddenly very soon after they had returned from a holiday in New York. She enjoyed her home and her work as a nurse and was adored by Steve, their two sons, Ben and Luke, and their daughter, Joanna, and their seven young grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening and worked with St Mary's playgroup and the Church Sunday school. John Bailey had always lived in Burbage and Marlborough except during his years in the 6th Royal Horse Artillery. He met Helen, who died four years ago, in Germany and they married in 1951. He worked as a farm welder/mechanic. He enjoyed making wooden clocks and mobiles and displayed them for sale in the window of his home in St Martins. He loved visiting his granddaughter in Greece. His daughter, Annie, sons Robert, Leslie, Peter and Michael, his 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren are all mourning a real family man. Lilian Shire died recently. She and her late husband, George, had lived in Elcot Lane since their marriage in 1952. She lived in London during the blitz then trained as a seamstress. She enjoyed gardening, cooking for her family and shopping trips with friends. She had been a volunteer at the Jubilee Rooms and treasurer of the Sunshine Club. Our sympathy goes to her children, Mark and Georgina, and her four grandchildren. Dick Miles was well known for his skilled wood carving. He died suddenly at his home inn Stonebridge Close where he had lived since 1964 when it was new. He and his late wife, Margaret, had three sons. Since he retired he has been busy making small wood carvings to display at shows and helping at St Mary's Infants School. Condolences to Malcolm, Ian, Nick and their families and to Stonebridge Close neighbours. Audrey Peck |