Eric Ball

MANY people attended the funeral of Eric George Ball, aged 93, at St Mary’s Church, Purton, before committal at North Wilts Crematorium.

Eric’s early life was spent at Toothill where he was one of four children of farming parents. He attended grammar school at Euclid Street, Swindon (which subsequently became Headlands), he played chess for the school and later for the county and was always interested in the countryside.

Having been brought up as a Methodist, Eric later joined the Church of England and held various offices including leadership of a youth club and the Scouts.

Eric did an apprenticeship in motor fitting and engineering, and was with REME during National Service in the north of England and the Far East. He later worked with Plesseys in sales and production.

Eric and his wife Joyce, who first met at the church youth club in Wootton Bassett, her home town, were married in 1956 at St Bartholomew’s Church and spent their honeymoon in Norway.

Their Whitsuntide wedding was at the time of the Bergen Festival and Eric’s and Joyce’s love of Grieg’s music was recalled in solos by granddaughter Tamsin Ball, at Eric’s funeral.

The couple’s first marital home was a flat in a derelict cottage, after which Eric planned the bungalow at Shaw in which he and Joyce raised their three sons, Owen, Jeremy and Quentin, who benefited from Eric’s practical interests and skills.

In his youth he had been a keen cyclist and youth hosteller. He bought his first car in 1949 when petrol was rationed. For some years Eric was keen on shooting, especially with a small-bore rifle.

Other interests included folklife and folklore, membership of the Wiltshire Society, dialect studies and photography. He was a member of the Kilvert Society and the William Barnes Society, and wrote dialect poems.

He had a great interest in history, enjoyed making things and was a member of Probus.

Tribute was paid to Eric’s interesting life, love of his wife and family and the loyal relationships he enjoyed.

The service included Eric’s and Joyce’s wedding hymn, O Jesus I have promised. Further memories were shared over refreshments at Marsh Farm Hotel, Royal Wootton Bassett.