MARGARET Taylor, who died on 19th May aged 84, lived in Melksham for over 50 years and ran two businesses in the town on Bath Road.
Margaret moved to Melksham in 1965 with her husband Peter and two small children, opening Taylor’s Dairy & Provisions. In the early 80s the shop changed to Taylor’s Knit & Sew which remained in the town until Margaret retired in 1992.
Margaret’s daughter Amanda Paines said, “Mum was often referred to as, ‘Mrs Taylor from the bottom of town’ and I think that’s how a lot of people will remember her.
“She was really passionate about sewing and knitting, having learnt the basics as a Barnardo’s child. Mum was self-taught and attended night school to progress her skills. She used to knit all the time – as a child I thought the constant clicking of needles was so annoying, but as an adult, I realised, she was very talented. If I needed a skirt making or a pair of jeans taken up, mum would have it done in no time – a skill indeed.
“Not many people know this about mum, but she appeared in the 1955 film, The Dam Busters, when it was filmed at her RAF base, in Lincolnshire. She played Richard Todd’s driver. Albeit, only a glimpse of her remained in the film, but it was always her claim to fame.
“She was very fond of living in Melksham and really felt as though she had made something of her life. Serving the people of Melksham, owning her own home and business was something she was very proud of.”
