Tribute to Mayor who knew she was dying (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Tribute to Mayor who knew she was dying

2:11pm Thursday 9th March 2006 in News By Nigel Kerton

THE chain of office worn by the Mayor of Marlborough Hilary Cripps was borne on a black velvet cushion carried by her Chaplain, Father Philip Thomas, to her civic memorial service on Thursday.

Coun Cripps was the first mayor of Marlborough in living memory to die while in office.

The great-grandmother was told three years ago that she had a terminal illness but at her insistence only her closest relatives were told.

When she was sworn in at the ancient traditional mayor-making ceremony in the Town hall last May she knew she was dying. Her husband, Les, said Coun Cripps knew she would probably not see out her year in office because of her failing health.

There was a private service and requiem at St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church last Friday attended by her family and close friends including the Deputy Mayor Bryan Castle who had been carrying out her civic duties after she became too ill to continue in December.

Coun Cripps had been determined to carry on as long as possible and discharged herself from hospital to be at the town's Spirit of Christmas fair and turn on the Christmas lights on December 1.

Her last official duty as mayor was attending the Christmas party on December 3 for members of Mencap, of which she was president.

Mayors from Wiltshire towns, some with black ribbons entwined in their chains, attended the civic thanksgiving service held in St Mary's Church on Tuesday.

The chairman of Wiltshire County Council, Coun Williams Moss, was present with Kennet District Council represented by Diana Ralls, from the chief executive's office and a close friend of Coun Cripps.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant William Wyldebore-Smith was present together with representatives of the Showmen's Guild (Western section) who organise Marlborough's two annual Mop fairs.

Former mayors of Marlborough going back over three decades were present together with the majority of the current town council members.

The last captain of HMS Marlborough before her de-commissioning from the Royal Navy last June, Commander Ian Graham, represented the ship's crew.

The ship's bell, presented to the town after the decommissioning, was in the church together with the ship's decommissioning flag.

Coun Castle carried the mayor's hat into church escorted by macebearers Standley Radnedge and Robert Dobie, whose pair of ancient and priceless maces were adorned with black mourning ribbons.

Michael Ancram, Devizes MP, and Coun Castle read lessons.

Father Thomas led the service with the assistance of the Rector, the Rev Andrew Studdert Kennedy.

Coun Nick Fogg, a former mayor and good friend of Coun Cripps, gave a memorable address in which he paid tribute to the mayor's dedicated service and determination to be the town's first lady, although she was terminally ill.

"She was a wonderful mayor who brought her own qualities to the position," said Coun Fogg.

"The noted hazard of the job is that people can become pompous but Hilary's main motivation was that she cared tremendously about the community to which she had already given so much, as a nurse at the Children's Hospital and as President of the Chamber of Commerce, in so many ways.

"There is no doubt that Hilary inspired the love of this community. You only have to look in the condolence book in the town hall to see that."

Coun Fogg said when Coun Cripps took on the role of mayor it was a huge burden not only because of her failing health but because she had no town clerk for the first three months.

Coun Cripps planned her funeral service and the thanksgiving service from her hospital bed in the days before she died.

In his address Coun Fogg said Coun Cripps had declined painkillers so that she could remain lucid with her family to the end and to the participate fully when she was given her church's blessed sacraments.