Mollie Hilda Tanner (Passed away 30 Oct 2019)

In loving memory of the legend Mollie Hilda Tanner who sadly passed away on 30th October 2019.

As spoken by her wonderful friend Christine Chew .

> It is such a privilege to stand here on stage at The Wyvern Theatre to honour the memory of our much loved friend Mollie. Thank you so much Pollyann for asking me to speak about our Friendship with Mollie and the Charitable Fundraising that was such a big part of Mollie’s life.
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> I first met Mollie 40years ago in the late 1970’s when we first moved to this area and our eldest son attended the Tanwood Kindergarten. Three of our four sons went on to attend the Kindergarten. We became friends over those years and particularly through the Great Ormond Street Wishing Well Appeal.
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> A theme throughout Mollies’s life was one of caring for others and her fundraising. I gather that the first Tanwood Charity Fundraiser was in aid of Families of Sailors who died when the submarine Affray sank in 1946. The fundraising continued throughout Mollie’s life, with her beloved John always beside her.
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> Many will recall the great support that Mollie gave to the Prospect Hospice from the very early beginnings of the Hospice especially when funds were being raised for the building in Wroughton. The commitment Mollie gave to Prospect was ongoing and Tanwood events raised large amounts of money over the years.
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> The local branch of Save the Children Fund in the 1980’s and 1990’s benefited from Mollie’s support especially in providing dancers at the annual Save the Children Fund raising Ball at Littlecote House.
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> In 1987 Mollie was approached by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire to Chair the Thamesdown Branch of The Wishing Well Appeal, part of the Wiltshire Appeal. The ambitious national plan for fundraising for The Wishing Well Appeal was to raise in the region of £54 million, in one year!
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> A Committee was formed for the Thamesdown Branch.....Mollie knew that one of our sons had been a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital and that I was a trained nurse.....Mollie asked me if I would join the committee. It was a great great honour for me to join the Committee and the beginning of a great experience.
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> It was every credit to Mollie as Chairman of the Thamesdown Branch and her leadership that the Branch raised enough money (£300,000) value at that time...to fund a new operating theatre for Great Ormond Street Hospital, all in one year! The theatre was named Thamesdown Operating Theatre and at Mollie’s insistence it was noted that it was as a result of funds raised by the people of Swindon.
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> After the national success of the Wishing Well Appeal Mollie was very proud that she and her beloved John were able to attend the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. Mollie often spoke about the Reception afterwards and how she was introduced to The Princess of Wales.
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> The Thamesdown Committee and the fundraising that took place was supported by so many of Mollie’s friends and acquaintances. There may be other past members of the Committee represented here today. Mollie had a great talent, amongst all her wonderful talents, for drawing people to her and to projects close to her heart.
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> Jean Prince, had been a dance pupil of Mollie from 8 years of age and became a life long friend of Mollie. Jean worked for Mollie’s Accountant and for the GOSH Appeal Jean was drawn in to become Mollie’s secretary. We shared a great number of adventures during the Appeal with all types of fundraising from duck races, selling t-shirts and mugs, musical events, stalls, concerts, events all over the Borough up to grand Balls! The Charity Balls for the GOSH Appeal with Mollie’s contacts and leadership, led to the start of the annual Charity Ball from which many local charities benefited in subsequent years.
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> Jean, Mollie’s Secretary for the GOSH Appeal was constantly by Mollie’s side and she is very sorry that she is unable to be present today due to ill health. Indeed, Mollie acted as Cupid for Jean and another key Gosh Committee member, Cliff Jones......I had the privilege to marry Cliff and Jean at Swindon Register Office in another later role in my life as Registrar. We kept our Committee close! Mollie and John were guests of honour.
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> Mollie brought people together and those bonds of friendship that she forged were strong bonds. Mollie was a loyal and true friend. In the years following the GOSH Appeal we maintained our close family friendship. We loved sharing happy times with Mollie and John. Fun times enjoyed at Christmas, always with a gathering, celebrating Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries, the Tanwood Shows, the Pantomime, the summer fete and the very special event of the Tanwood 70th Anniversary
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> A few extra special memories are of Mollie, Jean and I sharing fun and friendship. We enjoyed adventures having tea together at The Ritz, going to the theatre in London including a trip to see Martin Harvey perform in Dirty Dancing and visiting Princess Diana’s home at Althorp.....just to name a few.
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> The day we watched Martin play the lead role in Dirty Dancing was truly memorable. A memory that Mollie spoke about often.....a very special moment when Martin addressed Mollie from the stage and asked the audience to applaud his wonderful teacher, Miss Mollie. A wonderful moment.
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> The recent years have been challenging for Mollie but her amazing spirit and her beautiful smile shone through, surrounded by the love of wonderful Pollyann, her beautiful girls and the growing family.
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> Friendship is something to be treasured and Mollie’s friendship is something my husband Malcolm, our 4 sons and myself will treasure always. I am sure each and every person who has had the privilege of enjoying Mollie’s friendship will feel the same.
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> When I said goodbye to Mollie on my recent visit to see her in hospital, her smile was as wonderful as ever.
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> We will miss you dear Mollie and we will keep you in our hearts always.
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> Thank you for for being our friend.
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> Christine