Husband pays tribute to much loved wife who was stalwart of Devizes Bowls Club

Mrs Otridge, who had been married to Maurice for 67 years and lived in Devizes since 1972, died at Westbury Court Nursing Home, Westbury, on December 21 just two days after she moved there.

She also leaves a daughter Alison and son-in-law Graham.

She and her husband were both stalwarts of Devizes Bowls Club and bowls players from all over the county are expected at her funeral.

Mrs Otridge, was born in Dulwich in London on October 27, 1926, and later moved to Bath.

Sport brought Mrs Otridge and her husband together as they met in Bath when when they were both preparing for a sports festival.

Mr Otridge said: “Daphne was taking part in running events but also doing the discus and she was sent over to me to get advice. She was a beautiful girl and very elegant. I couldn’t believe my luck when we started going out.

“On the way to the sports event in Taunton we sat next to each other on the coach and that was the start.”

Memories of their younger years came flooding back when the Gazette reported on their diamond wedding anniversary in 2012 and again five years later when they reached their 65th anniversary.

At the time Mrs Otridge said: “We got to talking on the coach and we just clicked.”

Mrs Otridge played a lot of competitive hockey but was also interested in most other sports.

The couple dated but marriage had to wait until Mr Otridge had completed his National Service in the RAF. They were wed at Walcot parish church in Bath on August 16 1952.

Mr Otridge joined Somerset Constabulary and qualified as an advanced driving instructor. He was seconded to Wiltshire Constabulary in 1969 and the couple moved to Devizes three years later.

They bought a house in Meadow Drive and later moved to Greenfield Road. The couple both became members of Devizes Bowls Club and played for Wiltshire.

Donations for Cancer Research UK, c/o D J Bewley, Devizes.