A well-respected councillor who served Swindon for nearly 40 years will be laid to rest next week.

Wroughton councillor Brian Ford died suddenly at his home on May 30, aged 75. 

After the news broke of his death, tributes poured in for the former mayor, who had started at what was then called Thamesdown Borough Council in 1986 and went on to serve as cabinet member for adults and health during the late 2010s and early 2020s while always representing Wroughton, and later Wichelstowe too.

The Advertiser also published a tribute to the popular figure, sharing pictures from his years of service. 

Mead Family Funerals has confirmed that his funeral will take place on Tuesday, June 18. 

A spokesperson for them said: "The beloved husband of Stella, and much-loved dad of Richard and Alex, Brian has played a large part in the development and safety of our lovely village of Wroughton, he will be sadly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him, and leaves us with a lasting legacy.

"[His] funeral service will be held at the North Wiltshire Crematorium Swindon on Tuesday, June 18, at 1pm.

"His family have requested family flowers only however, donations in Brian’s memory for the Prospect Hospice may be sent c/o 10 St John Road. 

"More information can be had by ringing us on 814602."

His colleague in Wroughton for many years was former councillor Cathy Martyn.

She said: “Brian gave 38 years of his life to the people of Wroughton, that’s a huge part of his life.

“His sense of community and civic responsibility was huge."

David Renard, who was leader of the council until May 2023 added: “I worked with Brian for 22 years, and counted him as a friend. What stands out is his huge commitment to public service as Mayor, deputy leader of the council for a year and a cabinet member in a variety of roles."

Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “I enjoyed our exchanges in council meetings and, while we had our political differences, he commanded great respect from everyone in the chamber.

"He would also always be happy to work collaboratively with the Labour group. He was a lovely man."