The musical and educational community of Devizes has been shattered by the news of the death of Anna Roberts, wife of the headmaster of Dauntsey’s School in a freak cycling accident.
Mother-of-two Mrs Roberts, 57, a renowned pianist and music teacher, died at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol early on Sunday morning having been airlifted there following an accident near Warminster the previous afternoon. She was fatally injured after falling over the handlebars of her cycle coming down a steep hill.
She had been on a cycle trip with her husband, Stewart, who has been head at Dauntsey’s in West Lavington for more than 13 years.
Mr Roberts said: “Anna and I had decided to cycle to Heytesbury to stay the night at The Angel and cycle back to school the following morning. We really enjoyed the cycle, so much so that Anna insisted on stopping for a celebratory drink, half of shandy, at Chitterne.We then cycled on towards Heytes-bury with me in front.
“On coming down one of the hills Anna must have braked too quickly, I did not see this happen, and she was thrown forcibly off her bike.
“By chance, an off-duty paramedic was in the car following and attended her immediately. Other paramedics and the air ambulance arrived shortly afterwards.
“Despite major surgery, Anna never regained consciousness and died from internal injuries.”
It is understood that Mrs Roberts was wearing a cycle helmet.
Mr and Mrs Roberts and their teenage children Jonathan, 18, and Sally, 17, had just returned from a half-term break at their house in Shropshire. Mr Roberts said: “Jonathan, Sally and myself are thankful that we had just enjoyed an extremely happy family half-term and I am so grateful for 26 years of the happiest of marriages.”
Mr Roberts is due to retire as headmaster next year and Mrs Roberts had prepared a room at their retirement home in Shropshire as a music room to receive her beloved Steinway piano.
Jonathan is in the middle of his A-level exams and Sally her AS levels.
See also the obituary.
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