Ruth Was Born in Musbury, Devon, Where Her Father Was the Blacksmith. She Had an Older

Ruth Wyatt.

- 2012

Ruth was born in Musbury, Devon, where her father was the blacksmith. She had an older sister Grace and twin brothers Arthur and David. After Grammar school Ruth chose to follow a career in nursing. She was always very proud of this, and particularly her district nursing and midwifery.

She met Paul in Plymouth during the war – and despite the fact that he did not turn up for their first date the relationship survived. Paul had in fact been moved by his unit but couldn’t contact her. They were married in 1946 and initially moved to Pulborough to work on one of the Wyatt family farms. Phil was born in 1947 and Margaret in 1948. The family moved into Woodlands Farm in 1958, and remained there for the next 52 years.

There were many sides of Ruth’s life. Ruth, the wife of the farmer, though as the family says she didn’t tend to get too involved in the hands on farming tasks.

Then there was Ruth the mother and grandmother. Ruth gave up nursing when she married to devote herself to home and family, as did many women of her generation. She was devoted to her children, grandsons and great grandchildren.

Another hugely important part of Ruth’s life was her faith. She had a deep Christian commitment, and a desire to share that and use her many gifts in God’s service. Both Ruth and Paul’s spiritual roots were in the non- conformist world She supported and then led a very successful women’s group at Wickborne Chapel. She and Paul were also part of a team who ran a much enjoyed and well attended interdenominational Sunday School in the Coronation Hall here in Slindon. Eventually Paul and Ruth felt it was right to support St Mary’s, their local parish church and once again their contribution was hugely appreciated.

Ruth was a hard working governor at SlindonPrimary School and much appreciated there, she was on theBoard of Slindon College, and she served as chair of governors at WestergateSchoolwhere she worked tirelessly and fought hard for the good of the school.

Ruth also contributed hugely to village life in Slindon. She served as a Red Cross Volunteer and as president of the W I. She acted in The Slindon Saga.. But perhaps one of Ruth’s most appreciated contributions to village life was her service on the Parish Council. Ruth was the first and only woman to hold the post of Chairman which she assumed in 1976 and remained chair for 12 years.She ran the Council with a firm and committed hand. Those who served with her have said how thoroughly she prepared She was also a kind chairman, supportive of new members and careful to ensure everyone could have their say. David Guillabard summed it up well when he said she had a friendly way of achieving her objective!

The strain on Ruth of Paul’s deterioration in health took its toll too, and when he died, it was not surprising that she found it hard to bounce back. The loss of Paul, the loss of her home and her continuing declining health meant that the last two years were not easy for Ruth.

There is no doubt that Ruth’s contribution to life, whether though her faith, her community involvement orher family has enrichedour lives,