A PLAQUE has been put up at Basingstoke bus station in memory of a town chaplain who sadly died last year.

Malcolm Read, chaplain to the bus station, as well as the Top of Town, died on May 29, 2023, after a short illness.

On Thursday, March 28, this year, a ceremony took place with bus drivers, residents, friends, and family members all paying tribute.

During the ceremony his widow Barbara unveiled a plaque to celebrate Malcolm.

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Basingstoke Gazette: Bus drivers around Malcolm's plaque

"Malcolm was a very typical and very encouraging chaplain to us. Accepted us as one of the crowd and one of the team," said Nigel Lukowski, assistant operations manager at Stagecoach in Basingstoke.

His daughter-in-law Irene Read, described Malcolm as a 'lovely, gentle man' who enjoyed wildlife. She added: "When we went on walks, we would walk behind together and chat for ages."

Malcolm's son, Ian, said that chaplaincy let him 'start to live' after he took up the title following his retirement at the age of 65.

He continued: "He started as a street pastor, going out on Friday nights. Me and my sister couldn't believe that he did that, it just wasn't like him, but he did. He used to get flip-flops and hand them out to girls coming out of the clubs in their high heels.

"Then he joined the chaplains, and really blossomed."

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Basingstoke Gazette: Barbara and Ian Read with Malcolm's plaque

Ian explained that his dad used to wake up at 5.30am every morning to pray for him, his sister, and their family. 

"I can't believe how much I miss it. I've always been aware that my father has been praying that I have a good day, that's the man he was. He was faithful," Ian added.

Barbara, Malcolm's widow, expressed her thanks to organiser, Kerry Mansfield, she said: "Thank you to everybody for supporting us.

"If Malcolm knew what we were doing this afternoon, he would be so touched by the fact that we are doing this for him, he would never expect that.

"I am so thrilled with it, I can't say thank you enough, it's really touched my heart, thank you."