One of Wiltshire County Council's former senior officials died recently, at the age of 88.

From 1960 until his retirement in 1978, Alan Easton worked at County Hall, first as senior advisor for physical education, then later as senior assistant education officer. In these roles, he worked with schools and community centres throughout the county.

Before coming to Wiltshire, he held similar posts with Warwickshire County Council, Man-chester City Council and the Central Council for Physical Education in Liverpool.

Following teacher training in London and Leeds, he served as an Army PE instuctor and Staff Sergeant, later being in charge of physical education in the north west of England.

Following the family tradition, Mr Easton became an active bowler at Christie Miller, one of the Wiltshire sports centres that he had initiated during his working life.

In 1968, he moved from Sandy Leaze, Bradford, to South Wraxall where he became secretary and then chairman of the village hall committee. He helped the village acquire the former school building, in 1973, for use as its village hall. Although he remained a Cumbrian at heart, proud of his Wigton birthplace, he was happy to call Wilt-shire home for 40 years.

He is survived by Molly, his wife of 64 years, two daughters and two granddaughters.

The funeral took place at St James' Church, Wraxall, on March 20.

  • Donations to Dorothy House Hospice, Winsley.