Marilyn Maundrell

ONE of Bradford on Avon’s most well-known residents died recently at The Wingfield Care Home in Trowbridge, aged 82.

Marilyn Maundrell had lived all her life in and around Bradford on Avon and only a few years ago she published a book of her life growing up in Winsley.

As the daughter of the publican of the Seven Stars in Winsley, she had many an interesting story to tell.

When she got married to Peter Maundrell in 1961, they set up home in Bradford on Avon.

Marilyn was working first in Lloyds Bank Trowbridge branch, then in Bradford on Avon around this time so many customers will remember her.

In later years she was a stalwart in the office of St Laurence School, so many former pupils will have reason to thank Marilyn for her help over the years.

Marilyn was not shy in voicing her views about local Bradford on Avon issues, including traffic congestion on the Frome Road.

She was also very concerned about the footbridge proposal for the Kingston Mill housing development.

There were plans ten years ago to locate a £850,00 footbridge across the River Avon from the £35million Kingston Mill development in Bradford on Avon but these were later shelved.

Marilyn Maundrell, then 72, of Elms Cross Drive, went into a public consultation meeting saying she needed to be persuaded about the design, as she didn’t like the idea of mixing modern with old in Bradford on Avon.

However after seeing the plans she said: “Take back what I said; I think the bridge looks absolutely brilliant and it is very well blended in.”

She was also very much concerned with the environment. She was an active Friend of Southwick Country Park where she used to regularly walk her Labrador, Joe.

She regularly went for an evening walk with Joe along the canal towpath from the Kennet & Avon Canal Wharf in Bradford on Avon.

Marilyn was also an avid reader of the Wiltshire Times and regularly submitted letters to the editor on topical issues that interested her and on those about which she felt strongly.

One of her favourite voluntary roles was as a helper at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.

Sadly, Marilyn and Peter lost their only daughter, Lesley, to cancer aged 49. They had no grandchildren.

However, until her own dementia intervened, Mrs Maundrell lit up the mood of everyone she met.

Her funeral will be at the West Wiltshire Crematorium at Semington at 12.15pm on Monday, September 10. A wake will be held at the Somerset Arms in Semington after the service.