AUDREY Currell, one of the founder members of Calne Music and Arts Festival more than 40 years ago, died at the beginning of this year.

Mrs Currell was a valuable member of the committee for years and, in later life, took on the role of festival archivist. She was born in 1927 in Market Lavington, the eldest of four children.

By the time she was 18 her parents had moved to Calne, and she became a member of St Mary’s Church choir. It was here that she met and fell in love with Raymond Currell. Her married life was short, with Raymond dying just five years later.

Mrs Currell brought up her two children, Marion and Graham, on her own, but with help from the Currell family in Calne. Her daughter, Marion, despite her mother’s encouragement to take up the organ, and presenting her with the manual ‘Pedalling for Beginners’ one Christmas, trained as a singer and has given many concerts in Calne over the years.

Mrs Currell worked as a secretary for her whole life, first at the primary school on the Green and afterwards at St Dunstan School. Her first role on the committee of the Music and Arts Festival was as secretary, a job at which she was very proficient.

She was church organist for more than 65 years at Holy Trinity. In later years she did much research into Bremhill and Heddington churches where she also played the organ.

A memorial service is being held for Mrs Currell at St Mary’s Church on Saturday, July 16 at 2.30pm.

Musicians and friends are welcome to attend, and there will be time to chat and catch up with friends afterwards over a cup of tea and cake.