One of Corsham’s youngest ever Freemasons Michael Townsend, died suddenly while out shopping at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol on May 17. aged 46.

He moved with his family to Pickwick, near Corsham in 1966 where his parents June and Don ran the Hare and Hounds pub for 25 years.

He attended Regis Primary school and Corsham Comprehensive and in the late 70s went to Bath City College where he studied Catering and Hotel management.

At the age of 21, he joined his father’s masonic lodge in Pickwick, becoming one of its youngest ever members.

In January 1999 he married Debbie Porter and they settled in Bristol and he changed careers, working for Parcel Force as an ISO audit manager.

He leaves behind his wife and two step children Alex and Stephanie. His funeral will be held at Semington Crematorium on Wednesday June 3 at 12.20am.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the British Heart Foundation c/o Merretts Funeral Directors, Corsham.