TRIBUTES have been paid to a lady who was a pillar of her community for nearly 60 years.

Phyl Davies, who has been a part of Bramley life since 1959, died peacefully at home on Monday, 9 July at the age of 93.

Her impact on the village is indescribable - she served as parish clerk for many years, was the Gazette’s Bramley correspondent and there are very few village groups and activities in which she was not actively involved over the years.

Daughter Barbara said: “She always would say I need to have a plan every day - I need something to get up and get dressed for.

“She worked with so many groups, but, despite her age, she supported groups for young people too. She made donations to the Scouts and Bramley Apples. She knew the future generations were important and she really believed in young people.”

Phyl, who would have turned 94 on Friday last week, was born on the Isle of Wight in 1924 before moving to Basingstoke when her father, a police officer, was moved to Basingstoke, eventually settling in Bramley when she married her husband Bill, a place she always called her home, despite family moving away.

She worked for the Post Office and for the Inland Revenue as a tax officer, with her resulting financial nous a key skill for many a group in Bramley and Basingstoke which needed help keeping track of its books.

Her helpful nature extended beyond Bramley as she also ran a deaf club in Basingstoke, as well as being an active members of investment clubs. She also volunteered at The Vyne and the Rehab charity shop in Basingstoke.

Rachel Barclay Smith, who runs the Bramley Magazine, said: “Phyl was an inspiration to anyone who is worried about getting old. She always kept herself busy and until very recently she regularly sent me three articles a month for the magazine, telling me about the exploits of the Knitting Club, the National Women’s Register (NWR) and the Lunch Club.

“She had been contributing to the magazine for as long as I can remember. She was also a great supporter of the Bramley and Little London Music Festival and would try and come to every concert.

“She will be missed by many people in Bramley.”

Phyl’s funeral will be on Wednesday, 8 August at St James Church, Bramley. Donations will be taken in aid of St Michael’s Hospice, a cause Phyl was a supporter of. She leaves behind daughter Barbara and three grandchildren.