Town pays tribute to ‘cakes coaches and community stalwart’ Win Rose

THE news that Win Rose (nee Hudson) has died has been met with sadness as many people have paid tribute to her dedication and contribution to Melksham over many years. 

Win died in her sleep at Bybrook Nursing Home in Box on 27th August aged 83 following a short battle with a previously undetected brain tumour.

Her son Mark Hudson said, “Up until recently she was always active and involved in a number of committees and associations in Melksham, but had been slowing down over the last couple of years.  The only other possible sign was that for many years she had a twitching left eyebrow which we didn’t think anything about.

“I feel privileged to have had Win as my mother who was loving and supportive to both Caroline and myself, as well as being a great grandmother to Chloe and Lewis and wonderful sister to Valerie.  I would also like to thank the staff on Parry Ward at Bath RUH and the staff at Bybrook House Nursing Home for their kindness and great care given to my mother over the last two months. ”

Win was born and raised in Hull and came to Melksham in 1956 when she married. Apart from when she had her children, Win had always worked and was personal secretary to senior managers at St Andrews Hospital, Chippenham in the 1960s and through the 1970s and 80s was manager of Stainer’s shop and office in Bank Street. When Stainer’s finished in the mid-1990s Win worked as office manager to an artist’s studios in Shaw.   

She retired in about 2000 and joined the Tourist Information Centre as a volunteer.  Her skills, drive and determination at selling Melksham to the public were quickly noticed and she was soon on the payroll as assistant manager.  She was also instrumental in bringing with her the National Express coaches agency expertise she had built up over many years being with Stainer’s. Both Stainer’s and then the TIC were recognised by National Express Coaches as their best agencies in the whole of the South West.  Win’s last working role was helping out as a volunteer at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau at the town hall.

Win gave her heart and soul to everything she did and this also extended to her outside interests which included being an active member of the Women’s Institute and taking on the role of president for the Melksham branch over a number of years.

Win’s passion for cooking was legendary, with a particular flair for making and decorating cakes..  She was particularly proud of the cakes she made for friends and relatives for events such as the opening of the Riverside Walk and Nature Reserve and also demonstrations she gave such as at the Melksham Food Festival which was aimed at encouraging youngsters to cook.

Win loved to travel and went on a number of holidays around the world with family and friends to places such as China, Russia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Holland and she even cuddled baby alligators in Egypt!

Win made such an important contribution to Melksham over the years and did a tremendous amount behind the scenes for the good of her friends, colleagues and community.  She radiated passion, warmth and enthusiasm in everything she did and her wonderful sense of humour and fun made her popular with almost everyone.

She also had a great love of cats, poppies, trees and lights and the Melksham Christmas lights in particular. Her interest in poppies was not so much to do with remembrance because she hated the War having lived through it as a child in Hull which was the second most bombed city in the UK after London.  It was more about poppies being bright and cheerful, much like her in so many ways!

Win’s funeral took place at the Semington Crematorium on 25th September  followed by a celebration of her life with close family and friends at Queenway Chapel. Donations can be made in memory of Win up to 24th October  with cheques payable to ‘Melksham Christmas Lights’ c/o  Co-op Funeralcare, 15 & 17 Church Street, Melksham SN12 6LS.