Memorial bench unveiled for former mayors

An oak bench in memory of the late Judith and Peter Gildersleeves was unveiled at Gildersleeves Meadow, off Arkle Avenue on Saturday, December 15.
An oak tree was also planted at the site, close to where the couple lived.
Town mayor of Thatcham, John Boyd, said “I can think of no more fitting tribute for Peter and Judith than to have these two great servants of the town remembered in such a way.
"The Gildersleeves Meadow is a play park with an area of wildflowers, and as such I can see the possibility of a teacher saying to the class – today we will be going to the Gildersleeves Meadow on a field trip.
"This I am sure will have received the approval of Peter and Judith and will continue to be a source of education and leisure for generations to come.”
The bench and tree were provided by Pound Lane Action Group and Thatcham Town Council.
Mr Gildersleeves served as a town councillor for more than 30 years, had been a representative of Thatcham Town Football Club and had been the president of the Thatcham branch of the Royal British Legion.
He also served as town mayor four times.
In 1994, Mr Gildersleeves was appointed an OBE for his work for the civil service and in June he received a Thatcham Town Council civic award for his services to the town.
Mrs Gildersleeves, also a former mayor of one year, worked at the former USAF base at Greenham as an Anglo-American communications advisor from 1979 to 1984.
She sat on Thatcham Town Council from 1995 until 2003 and 12-years-ago she established the first annual Festival of Arts and Leisure, now a major occasion in the town's calendar.
The pair had lived in Thatcham since 1971.