Latest News From
Brooks Independent Funeral Directors
Welcome to our Latest News section, with updates on Brooks Independent Funeral Directors and our ongoing commitment to the local community. Here, you'll see updates on our initiatives, events, and meaningful work we undertake to support those we serve. We take great pride in our community involvement and you'll see some of the activities we've been a part of here too.
VE Day Display
Our window display to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day features excerpts from Charles Vernon's book about Malmesbury during WW2. It details how Malmesbury celebrated VE day with dancing in the Cross Hayes, Tea Parties and School Events. The book is on display in the office and always available to borrow
Duck Race 2025
We were so pleased to be one of the sponsors for the Duck Race this year. It was a brilliant day and the weather was kind too! Thank you to Jack and Sarah for organizing the event and the amazing Brooks Duck Recovery display! Unfortunately the Brooks Funeral Directors Duck failed to make any impression in the Business Race before the main event, decorated in tiger stripes to reflect the story of Hannah Twynnoy it may still be finishing the course now!
A Truly Independent Firm
It has been lovely to have my dad help over the last few months, assisting with bearing on the day of the funeral and bringing people into our care. A simple moment that represents the heart of an independent business and a reminder of the importance of family in all that we do. Many will know David who has run an Antiques business in Malmesbury for over 40 years.
Crematoria Engagement
It was great to be invited to engage with Louise from North Wiltshire Crematorium to discuss how the crematorium can enhance their support to families for when they are planning a funeral.
Hamper Giveaway 2024
We provide our personal care and support 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and know there are many people working hard looking after the local community over the Christmas Holidays too.
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We again asked for nominations for someone who the community would like to receive a hamper of goodies to help them through their Christmas Day spent caring for the local community.
The winner, chosen at random and announced on our Facebook page was Mary Jordan, congratulations!
Late Night Opening 2024
Thank you to everyone who stopped by at late night opening.
We had a stall in the Town Hall where you could write a Memory Tag and the office at 21 High Street was open where you could visit to light a candle of remembrance and take a complimentary refreshment.
It was fantastic to see so many people at both our Town Hall stall and at our office. All the Memory Tags were placed on the Memorial Tree in the office window. The last of the mince pies were donated to the community fridge in the Town Hall.
HEALS Donation
Via Facebook we asked for people's pictures of Malmesbury for a new montage in the office. Thank you to all those who replied and sent in some incredible pictures. We were pleased to present a donations to HEALS of Malmesbury (see picture being collected by Cllr Gavin Grant) to show our appreciation for the responses.
Malmesbury Fireworks 2024
We were proud to be the first sponsor of this years fireworks night. Thank you to Jamie Johnstone for organizing the sponsorship. It was a great night.
Hannah Twynnoy Memorial
It has been a privilege to donate masonry restoration services to Malmesbury Abbey and restore the headstone of Hannah Twynnoy.
The 18th century headstone had become very difficult to read and a letter to the Jackdaw Magazine started the process of making sure the memorial was returned to a legible condition respecting the surroundings and history of the stone and with permission of the Diocese.
It has been carefully hand cleaned on site in the grounds of the Abbey preserving some of the lichen and the character of the stone. The letters were then hand painted to make them clearly legible again.
The project would not have begun without the Jackdaw Magazine and wouldn't have progressed without Fiona's (Operations and Communications Manager for Malmesbury Abbey) hard work.
Knitted Hearts
We have received a kind donation of knitted hearts from the Chat & Knit Group in Hullavington.
The hearts are in matching pairs. A heart is placed with a loved one for their final journey and the other kept by the family to help bring some comfort when apart.
Malmesbury Art Trail 2024
We had the privilege of displaying a beautiful acrylic on wood panel piece from artist Miranda Carter entitled 'Longshore Drift' as part of the Malmesbury Art Trail. The piece gained much interest over the course of the event that was very successful thanks to the efforts of the town council.
Athelstan 1100 Memorial
We are very proud to have donated the memorial plaque unveiled by Mayor Cllr Phil Exton on the opening weekend of the Athelstan 1100 celebrations.
It is situated in the Cloister Gardens behind the Abbey and is a tribute to the fantastic celebrations organised by the Athelstan 1100 project and part of the legacy of King Athelstan who became king 1100 years ago.
It was crafted from a larger piece of York Stone, you can see the process in the pictures on our Facebook page
Athelstan 1100
We are proud to be supporting the Athelstan 1100
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The objective of Athelstan 1100 is to deliver a set of memorable, fun, accessible and inclusive experiences and events under the banner of Athelstan 1100 in 2024, with legacy outputs that will support interest in Malmesbury and Athelstan into the future.
2024 marks the1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming king. Athelstan was the first King of England and has a very special relationship with our historic town. His hero was Malmesbury’s first Abbot, Aldhelm, he gave significant gifts to Malmesbury Abbey, and he chose to be buried here. His name is all over town and he’s at the heart of the remarkable story of Malmesbury’s Warden and Freemen organisaon, which still exists today.
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Duck Race 2024
The Duck Race was a fantastic event this year, despite a poorly timed downpour just after the main race. We were proud of our entry in the business race, however fear he is still at the bottom of the Avon!
Hamper Giveaway 2023
We spent an afternoon Christmas Hampers to people we work closely with and who, like us, will be working over the Christmas Holidays.
We reached out to the community via our Facebook page asking if they knew someone who would be serving the local community on Christmas Day. Nominate them in the comments and we would select one at random to receive a Christmas Hapmer to help them through the day.
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The lucky winner was Sam McCahill!
Late Night Opening 2023
It was great to see so many people out for Late Night Opening. People had the opportunity to light a candle of remembrance and write a memory tag to be placed on the memorial tree that sits in the window of the office over the Christmas period. We were overwhelmed by the number of people who stopped to chat, light a candle or write a memorial tag.
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Open Doors Event
Our Open Doors event took place on 28th October. It was lovely to see so many people and have the opportunity to discuss Brooks Independent Funeral Directors and the facilities at 21 High Street, Malmesbury.
Gavin Grant Malmesbury Mayor and Wiltshire Councillor, and Phil Exton Deputy Mayor officially opened the office and chapel of rest and Richard Harris was there capturing the moment.
Congratulations to Karen Lockyear who won the the Raffle and can now look forward to Cream Tea at The Old Bell.
The event also raised £100 for HEALS charity Malmesbury. There were some of our cupcakes left and were donated to the community fridge (located in Malmesbury Town Hall entrance).
Thank you to everyone for your huge support.