PEWSEY parish councillors held a minute's silence on Tuesday in memory of Sylvia Palmer and all she had done for the village.

The former teacher, parish councillor and leading campaigner for the new Bouverie Hall, died at her High Street home on Saturday aged 83.

Mrs Palmer and her late husband, Marshall, threw themselves into the life of Pewsey after arriving in 1970.

Chairman Alex Carder said: "Sylvia worked selflessly for this community. She was devoted to Pewsey and all it stood for."

Mr and Mrs Palmer were regarded as leading lights in the village. Both became involved in village activities, in particular the drama and musical scene. Mrs Palmer also served as a parish councillor for 13 years.

She will be best remembered, however, for her determination to see the old Bouverie Hall in River Street replaced with the new building in 1989. She and the late Sue Swanton led the campaign and the fund raising for the new building that is a permanent memorial to them both. Mrs Palmer had also always wanted to see a nursing home in Pewsey.

There will be a service of celebration for her life at John the Baptist Church in Pewsey on Tuesday August 31 at 4pm.