Phillida did so much for the Ganton area

The family of a woman whose tremendous volunteer work benefitted organisations around Ganton and beyond have shared details of her incredible life.

Anne Phillida Wrigley – known as Phillida – died peacefully at her home in Potter Brompton, aged 91.

She ran Ganton Hall for many years, was a member of Ganton Parish Council, and was a governor of several local schools.

She dedicated much of her time to St Nicholas Church where she was a member of the church council. She also gave up time to help fundraise for the children’s charity NSPCC.

Mrs Wrigley was born Anne Phillida Brewis in August 1928 in Rugby.

She studied at a school in Kent before marrying Michael Wrigley in 1950. They went on to have four children – Diana, Nicholas, Mark and Julia.

Mr Wrigley had to tell people that he worked for the diplomatic service but actually he was a member of MI6. Between 1956 and 1974, his work took the family to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. The children studied at schools in England but would spend the holidays with their parents. The stays abroad saw Mrs Wrigley teaching English to young Thai princes and princesses.

In 1974, they returned to England to live at Ganton Hall and, as well as running the hall and gardens, Mrs Wrigley started her work for the church and NSPCC.

She was a devoted wife and much-loved mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, with nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“She loved music and opera,” said her son Nicholas.

“She was very kind, very considerate and interested in people. She absolutely loved reading. She had thousands and thousands of books. Her real love, and in this we are very lucky, was her family and looking after her children.”