Silchester mourns stalwart Val (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Silchester mourns stalwart Val

11:00am Friday 12th October 2012 in News By Helen Morton

A MUCH-LOVED member of the Silchester community is being mourned by the village.

Community stalwart Valerie Hyde, who died aged 92 on Monday, October 1, lived in the area for more than 50 years and was heavily involved in village life.

She took on a number of roles, including chairman of the now defunct management committee of the village hall, which she chaired for about 25 years, and last year became one of the founding managing trustees responsible for the management of the hall.

For many years, Mrs Hyde was a churchwarden at St Mary The Virgin Church in Church Lane, Silchester, until ill health saw her relinquish the role last year.

Richard Rand, the current church warden, knew Mrs Hyde for 46 years.

He said: “She will be missed. She was greatly appreciated by many members of the village and was a very active member of village life and in the community.”

He said Mrs Hyde also organised regular auctions in the village hall. A planned auction on Saturday, October 27 will be cancelled in her memory.

Mrs Hyde ran a ‘Dig Supper’ for villagers and members of the annual dig held at the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum.

She was also involved in Guiding, the Women’s Institute and a senior citizen’s Darby and Joan club. Mrs Hyde died in Basingstoke hospital, Aldermaston Road, after suffering a fall. She leaves behind three daughters, Angie, Jan and Charlie, one son, Jeremy, and many grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held today at 2pm in the church to which she dedicated so much of her life.

Mr Rand said: “We are expecting a very full church.”