Robin Notton passed away very recently. A former Mayor and Councillor, and an active and respected member of the Marlborough community. Rather than one single penned obituary, below are memories and tributes from Robin’s sons – Charles and David – from Nick Fogg, who is the only Town Council member still sitting who sat with Robin, and also from Kelvyn Shantry, who followed Robin as Chair of the Marlborough Conservative Association,.
Charles Notton:
My father was a very active man in the community. During his time, he served as both Town and District Councillor, as well as Mayor between 1992 and 1993.
His wide range of interests included hiking, mountaineering, history, reading, judo, aikido, shooting and, of course motorcycling.
He would often take us on long walks in the countryside during the holidays, including up Tryfan in Wales, around and about the Cairngorms, and of course, in his beloved Wiltshire countryside, often with a stop at a convenient pub on the way back. He would take yearly holidays in Scotland with his friends Brian Ford, Ron Bryant, Bill Plank and Colin Wills, all of whom have since passed, where he would walk, climb and fish.
His interest in history was fairly general, although he did have a particular interest in the Zulu Wars of the late nineteenth century, as well as the history of the Post Office, particularly on the various methods of transmission and signalling, and had always intended on writing a biography of Home Popham, who codified flag signalling in the 19th century. He enjoyed literary fiction, particularly the works of Shakespeare and Hardy, as well as historical fiction, having a particular fondness for the Hornblower novels of CS Forester and the Sharpe novels of Bernard Cornwell, and enjoyed historical dramas on film and television.
His interest in judo and aikido led him to help set up clubs for both in Marlborough, and he was regarded as a good exponent of the arts, although he never attended any gradings.
He would shoot both clays as well as game for pest control and food purposes, often bringing home rabbits or pheasant for the table.
But it was in motorcycling he found his greatest pleasure. His parents, Owen and Joan, forbade him to have a motorcycle, so he went out and bought a BSA Sunbeam, the most powerful scooter available on the market. He went on to own a succession of Triumphs, most recently a 1966 Tiger 100, as well as Kawasakis, Hondas, Royal Enfields and an MZ, whose exhaust note was highly distinctive. He would become a founding member of the Wiltshire Branch of the Royal Enfield Owners’ Club, and lived long enough to see his eldest son take up the chair of the branch.
His service to the town on Town and District councils was marked by appointments to various committees, and his proudest achievement was becoming Mayor in 1992. In that year, he carried out a number of formal engagements, including opening the fair and the leisure centre, as well as turning out early on the morning of New Years’ Day 1993 to see the damage in the High Street from the fire the previous night. He was to serve two terms on Marlborough Town Council, before deciding to retire from frontline politics. He remained active in the local Conservative Party until he was no longer able to take part.
He married Anne in 1969, at St Peter’s Church. They were to remain together for 55 years, until Anne’s sad death in 2024, four days after their 55th wedding anniversary. After her death, he was bereft, missing her so much. They had two sons, Charles and David, and three grandchildren, Sophie, Daniel and Katie, all of whom will miss him very much.
His final year was marked by illness, suffering a stroke in the September of 2024 which saw him hospitalised. He briefly returned home, but was again hospitalised on Christmas Eve, following a fall at home. He moved to a nursing home in March, where his condition continued to worsen, until he was admitted to Great Western Hospital for a final time in mid October. He passed away peacefully on 19 October, aged 81, with David by his side.
David Notton:
Dad, a few thoughts and memories of him.
He had a love of the mountains and the countryside that he has passed on to future generations. I remember him telling me about playing in Savernake forest with his friends as a boy, this would have been shortly after the war and there were still a fair few relics of the war around.
But Motorcycles – he was an enthusiastic life long motorcyclist. I remember, occasionally, riding pillion when I was barely tall enough to reach to footpegs.
Travel was another of his lifelong loves. When young he travelled to Scotland on his motorbike and in to Europe. I remember family touring holidays in my early/pre-teens going to Yugoslavia (1990 before the conflicts) and through Hungary (just after it had begun to open up). And the Marlborough Brandt Group, he travelled to Gunjur in the Gambia several times, his first journey being when he was Mayor in 1992.
The love of travel took him and my Mum all over the world in their later years; Canada, New Zealand, China. Unfortunately mum and him never made it to a planned cruise on the Danube.
But he worked hard for us. To provide for his family, spending 29 years with British Telecoms before then moving on to other roles. And he has certainly taught me the value of hard work, integrity and honesty.
Most of all though he was my Dad, I enjoyed spending time with him and he taught me some important lessons, and I miss him.
Nick Fogg:
Robin Notton was the epitome of what has become known as ‘a decent Tory’, caring and community minded, loyal to his party, but never partisan. He was a long-standing member of Marlborough Town Council and served as Mayor, as well as being on Kennet District Council. He had a strong commitment to charitable causes and was one of the organisers of Oxfam’s now legendary ‘Cockney Night Out’. A highly-convivial man, it was always a pleasure to enjoy a couple of ales with him. As a post office engineer, he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of the telephone box. I even cited him the other evening when the town council was discussing the future of the phone box in St Martins.
A dedicated family man, Robin was proud of his two boys. I don’t think he ever fully recovered from the death of Ann, his beloved wife of many years.
Kelvyn Shantry:
I returned to Marlborough in 2021 after living away for many years, became a Marlborough Town Councilor and joined the local Conservative Branch.
Robbin Notton was the Chairman of Marlborough Conservative Association at that time, having held that position for many years. He took me under his wing and introduced me to the gallant bunch of members who were proudly waving the Blue Flag in Marlborough. His knowledge of local and national politics was legendary and together with other senior members of the group I enjoyed the lively discussions (and drinks) at the Green Dragon every month or so.
Within a year I was asked by Robin to become Vice Chairman, he assured me there was very little work to be done in this role . Little did I know that within 6 months, Robin himself resigned as his health was failing and he wanted somebody else to lead the group into the elections ahead in order to spend more time with his beloved wife. This was very astute succession planning by Robin ,as had I been asked directly to lead the Group ,I’m not at all sure I would have accepted the role !
Robin impressed me with the takeover of the Chair. I was expecting a pile of papers and files but instead was handed a USB stick where he had copied all the information and records necessary to run the Branch. I was surprised as it showed that despite his age and poor health, he was right up to speed with modern technology.
Robin and I stayed in touch until recently when he became really ill. We shall miss him at our Branch Meetings and will raise a glass in his honour at our next meeting in the Green Dragon. A true Blue!
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The funeral to be held at St George’s Church, Preshute on Wednesday 12th November 2025 at 2pm followed by burial at Marlborough Cemetery
‘Bye Rick, hello Jimmy….? High Street hospitality profile changes
