Hundreds say farewell to popular teacher (From This Is Wiltshire)

Hundreds of mourners bid farewell to Marlborough stalwart Vicky Philpott at St Mary’s Church yesterday.

Mrs Philpott, who died aged 48 on March 1, was a teacher at a number of schools in the Marlborough area including St Mary’s.

Before going to the church, the hearse paused outside the former Duck’s toy shop in the High Street which was run by Mrs Philpott’s family and was where she spent most of her childhood.

Family and friends who gathered at St Mary’s for the service of thanksgiving wore bright colours and listened to her husband, Ian, pay tribute to his “angel”.

He spoke of Mrs Philpott’s love for Marlborough saying that she was “a local girl through and through”.

Mrs Philpott was at the heart of the community, she was a swimming teacher and committee member for Marlborough penguins and chaired the parent teacher associations at both St Mary’s and St Peter’s.

She also sat on the Friends of Savernake committee and the Marlborough Carnival committee, through which she met her Mr Philpott.

But Mr Philpott explained that her proudest achievements were her two daughters Molly, aged ten and Harriet, eight, who lit a candle for their mum which they had decorated in the days before the funeral.

During his tribute he thanked the congregation for the cards, letters and emails which he said have been a comfort to the family, particularly Ascension by Colleen Hitchcock which was sent to him by a close friend.

The service was conducted by Rev Andrew Studdert-Kennedy. He read tributes from Marlborough children who had known Mrs Philpott which had been put in a special memory box.

As the congregation left the church Victoria by Ray Davies and The Crouch End Festival Chorus played.

The service was followed by the burial in the town cemetery and a celebration of Mrs Philpott’s life at the town hall.