FORMER three times Marlborough Mayor, Len Bulley has died.

A loving husband to wife Carol, father of three boys and “Grandpa” to four grandchildren, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 10, after a short, but brave battle with cancer.

Born at Guy’s Hospital, Southwark, South East London, just before the outbreak of the 2nd World War, Len was extremely proud of the fact, that as he was born within the sound of Bow Bells, he was first and foremost just a ‘Cockney Lad’ from London.

Len grew up in Wimbledon in the aftermath of the 2nd World War, before embarking on a 35-year career in local government. His career would eventually see him move the Marlborough area in 1967 to take up a role as Deputy Clerk at the Marlborough & Ramsbury Rural District Council, eventually moving to Marlborough itself in 1976 after taking a role as a Housing Officer at Salisbury District Council in 1975. He took early retirement in 1990.

During the 26 years he lived in Marlborough, he was an independent town councillor for 20 years and elected Mayor on three separate occasions, was also President of the Marlborough and District Lions Club and Chairman of the Marlborough Mencap Association, helping to raise thousands of pounds for good causes and local charities.

Len loved Marlborough and will be best remembered for the inception and completion of the Marlborough Leisure Centre, a project which he launched as Mayor in 1984, with youth in mind, and which he remained committed to from beginning to end, as chairman of its steering committee for over eight years until it’s opening in 1992.

Len will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially for his sharp wit and repartee, but also for the copious amounts of love, support and guidance he continued to give to his immediate and extended family throughout his life.