Tribute to Calne's man of music (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Tribute to Calne's man of music

10:13am Thursday 28th October 2010 in News By Alex Winter

A bench dedicated to the memory of Marden House fundraiser Tim Browne, who died of cancer last year, was unveiled on Monday.

Mr Browne was a major fundraiser for Calne’s Marden House concert series, obtaining a lottery grant to buy a grand piano for the venue.

He also chaired Calne’s Music and Arts Festival and was a trustee of the Heritage Centre.

His widow Carole said: “In terms of the music we have here, Calne absolutely has a lot to offer.

“Tim initiated the Marden House concerts and won lottery funding to buy the piano. There are classical musicians touring the world now who started out their careers in Marden House.”

Marden House chairman Margaret Garratt said: “He really was an incredible man.

“It was quite remarkable, the amount of things he got up to. As well as being so involved with Marden House, he was also a district and town councillor. He was very active in the community.

“The committee for Marden decided they would like to make a mark to show their appreciation. I mentioned that I was going to buy the bench for Tim and the money came flooding in. People from different places in the county wanted to put money in and give something back.”

Mr Browne, who had three daughters and a son, died at home in August last year, aged 67.

He had led a colourful life, working for the British Council in Central and West Africa and as the head of languages in St Augustine’s School in Trowbridge.

Mrs Garratt said: “He did an awful lot for music in Calne.”

Mrs Browne said: “It should be a nice addition to Marden House.

“They have quite a lot of weddings and parties there and I hope it will be useful for them.”

Marden House will be hosting Serbian accordianist Miloš Milivojevic on November 7 at 3pm.

For details, visit www.mardenhouseconcerts.co.uk