Compton Bassett resident Midge Mather, a much-loved mother who supported many community events, has died at the age of 82.

Mrs Mather was a gamekeeper’s daughter, and was born on November 7, 1931 at the Keeper’s Cottage at Lower Colham, just outside Castle Combe, to Rebeccah and James Rumming.

She was the youngest of seven children and moved from the keeper’s cottage into Castle Combe at the start of the Second World War where she went to the local school.

After leaving school at 14, Mrs Mather started work in the offices at Westinghouse Brake and Signals in Chippenham, where she was popular among her colleagues.

She had a fun sense of humour, which remained with her all her life, and enjoyed all sports.

She excelled at running and at the yearly sports day at Westinghouse was known to win many prizes.

Mrs Mather’s other love during this time was ballroom dancing, and she achieved her National Association of Teachers of Dancing Gold Cross in 1954. She ran a youth club in Castle Combe in the 1950s and taught many children there to dance.

She remained at Westinghouse until the birth of her daughter Rebekah in 1957.

She also travelled with her husband to Singapore, a country that had a profound effect on her, and also lived in Germany.

Mrs Mather moved to Compton Bassett, the home of the Rumming family, in 1967 with her husband, mother and brother John. Shortly after she returned to work at Westinghouse.

During her life she supported many village events and her knitting won her prizes at the village flower show.

Mrs Mather campaigned to save the village war memorial when its future was in doubt and, together with her brother John, maintained it for many years.

On retiring from Westinghouse Signals, Mrs Mather took up bee keeping, and she spent much of her time in the garden.

She loved her dogs and always had them by her side. Even in Singapore she rescued a dog from the pound, and had to walk seven miles home because no taxi would pick her up.

Her daughter Rebekah said: “She had her principles and values and she stood by them to the end.

“No doubt many will remember her for cutting the bell ropes of St Swithin’s Church in Compton Bassett.

“But there was so much more to her than this one episode. She was a kind generous lady with character who will be much missed.”