Visitors from Marlborough, Massachusetts shown the town by former mayor

Marlborough (Wiltshire) Councillor Andy Ross was host this week to two visitors from New England’s Marlborough – Marlborough, Massachsetts.

Councillor Ross had met Kate and Andy LaRose when he was Town Mayor (2010-2011) and with his wife represented the town at the 350th anniversary celebrations of Marlborough, Massachusetts’ foundation in 1660.

The New England town was named after Wiltshire’s Marlborough and became a city in 1890.

Kate was then the Mayor’s Executive Assistant and Andrew a police officer in the Marlborough force.  During the celebrations Andrew was the Ross’ driver and Kate was organising the celebrations – so the two couples got to know each other well.

The celebrations included an anniversary ball and a parade in which the Wiltshire representatives and those from Marlborough, Massachusetts’ sister town of Akiruno in Japan all took part.

On Thursday (September 3) Councillor Ross was showing the LaRoses the Town Hall and its history – including the only too recently used trapdoor from the cells into the court room.    Later they were visiting the Merchant’s House and St Peter’s Church.

This is the couple’s first trip to Europe.  They began in Paris and then travelled to Bayeux and the Normandy beaches – and cemeteries.  Andrew’s grandfather came ashore in Normandy soon after D-Day and took part in the break-out from Normandy and later fought at the crucial Battle of the Bulge.

In Wiltshire they have been staying with Gillian and Andy Ross.  They end their trip in London and fly home to their two children – and get back to work.  Kate is now a real estate agent and Andrew is still with the Marlborough police force as a motorcycle officer.

They were delighted to see “another Marlborough” and very grateful for the hospitality they have been shown in Wiltshire.