Tower and Town, November 2026 (view the full edition)Footprints To Marlborough: Nigel BriersMatt Gow interviews Nigel Briers 1. Where were you born? And where did you grow up? I was born in Leicester, but I grew up in a village in Leicestershire called Littlethorpe. 2. What was your early life like? I went to Lutterworth Grammar School after I passed the 11+. My father was in the Royal Marines, but later he went into the building trade, and my mother worked as a dinner lady at the primary school I went to. 3. What kind of work or passion have you followed in life? I became a professional cricketer at the age of 16 with Leicestershire, but I was still at school for two years, and then I went on to study PE and History as my degree. 4. Had you ever heard of Marlborough before moving here? I first heard of Marlborough when I was doing my history degree, because I had to do a research project on Stonehenge and it meant I had to drive through the town to get there. I remember the very first time I drove into Marlborough past The Bear and the Town Hall and it felt very special - something just resonated with me. 5. What first brought you to Marlborough and when? I first came to Marlborough in 1976, when I came for a practice interview at the College but I was already a professional cricketer at Leicestershire at that time. In 1995, when I had retired from my cricket career, I was appointed master in charge of cricket at the College, taught PE and was the development officer responsible for organising open days to showcase the College. 6. Why did you decide to stay and make it your home? I loved working at the College and that shaped my life a great deal. I enjoyed being part of the school community and also the local community. I have lived just off the High Street for many years and I love walking into town everyday. It is a wonderful place to live. I know lots of people in the High Street which is a nice feeling. I also really enjoy the different restaurants in the town such as Pinos, Dan's and Bunces and I love dropping into the White Horse Bookshop regularly too. Matt Gow |
