Lorna Haycock

TRIBUTES have been paid to historian, librarian and author Lorna Haycock who died last month after suffering ill health for a number of years.

Widow Mrs Haycock, who lived in Devizes for many years, leaves three sons Simon, David and Christopher. Until her retirement she was the Sandell librarian and archivist at Wiltshire Museum in Long Street where she was very involved in the the 150 anniversary of the museum and the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society in 2003.

In 2002, Mrs Haycock who for many years was head of history at Devizes Grammar School, was awarded a Ph.D for her thesis on the growth of Devizes during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

She also published a number of books including History and Guide to Devizes.

She was awarded her doctorate by Portsmouth University for the thesis entitled In the Newest Manner: The Economy and Society of Devizes, Wiltshire 1760 1820.

She got her BA from the University of London in 1950 and joined the staff of Devizes Grammar School the following year. After leaving she took a diploma in local history at what was the Portsmouth Polytechnic in 1989 and 1990.

She said at the time “That’s really what got me started on the study of local history and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Fellow history lover and author Dave Buxton said: “She was a noted authority on Devizes history and did guided historical tours of the town.”

From 1990 to 2002 Mrs Haycock was vice chairman of the Trust for Devizes. She was born on May 27, 1929 in Guildford, surrey daughter of Francis and Mary Read.

She later married Herbert Haycock and moved to Devizes.

Wiltshire museum director David Dawson said: “Lorna was well-known and respected for her knowledge of the history of the County. During her 20 year service to the Society, she opened up the treasures of the library to hundreds of researchers. Following her retirement in 2009 she continued to volunteer in the library."

Mrs Haycock’s funeral was held on April 23 and a memorial service is planned to take place in the summer.