Hilary Thrupp (1925 – 2012)

Hilary Margaret Cookson was born at Swiss Cottage, London on the 10 May 1925 and educated at St. Margaret’s, Hampstead and Holy Cross Convent, Woking. In 1942, aged 17, she joined the Royal Artillery 628 Squadron ‘Heavy Mixed AA Battery’ Isle of  Sheppey. After the war, training as a stenographer led to appointment as Personal Assistant to the Director of Studies at Sandhurst.

She met and married Caspar Thrupp in 1955 and they worked together on their fruit farm in Suffolk. Due to an influx of foreign fruit their farm business collapsed. They sold up and bought a derelict property in London Street, Andover and set up Andover’s first ever launderette. It was a tremendous success, though it took them both a while to get used to being ‘in trade’ – a side of life unknown to them. Caspar Thrupp died in February 1990.

They moved to Wherwell in 1958; first to ‘Uplands’ (now ‘The Well House’), then 12 years later to ‘The Old Malt House’ and yet again in 1982 to Hilary’s last home at ‘Gavel Barn’. All these house moves were lovingly recorded on a magnificent patchwork bed spread.

Hilary and Caspar took part in village life saying it was a privilege to live in such a lovely place. They both loved the country and animals and they both rode. Though Caspar was a brilliant horseman, Hilary said her horse had “no brakes”.

They also bred Abyssinian cats and Border Terriers. The photo above was taken in 2000 with Billy on Hilary’s lap as an 8-week old puppy and Sukey.

Hilary loved music. She always said she played the piano for her own amazement. Her chief love was singing and she possessed a Soprano which closely resembled a boys voice. She trained in Winchester and London and appeared in many local concerts and recitals and was once referred to as the ‘Hampshire nightingale’. In the early 60’s she trained the church choir at Longparish; later helping Lady Orde with the choir in Wherwell. Her last big ‘do’ was at the 1983 Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, singing Bach’s Magnificat with the Waynflete Singers and the Winchester Cathedral Choir.

Hilary was Secretary of the Wherwell Playing Fields Association for 14 years and was elected onto the Parochial Church Council, the Parish Council and the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Another major interest was patchwork and quilting and some of her work won prizes in National Competitions or has been featured in publications. In 1982, after she had studied for about 15 years, she was asked to form a teaching group in the village hall. When numbers dwindled, she ran the group at Gavel Barn. That she was able to produce a hand sewn quilt or wall hanging amazed her – since her sewing teacher at school had said that she “was passed praying for”. Hilary loved cars and driving and any excuse to get her car out and drive was greeted with great enthusiasm. She often said she made many unnecessary journeys.

In her mid-70’s, Hilary was taken to her first rugby match at Twickenham. She had discovered rugby ‘by mistake’ on television, but was from then onwards hooked.

A memorial service for Hilary was held at Wherwell Church on 23rd November 2012. She had lived in the village for 54 years. Throughout this time, she maintained a strong interest in people and events and was an avid reader of the Parish Magazine and the Andover Advertiser.

Hilary was a beautiful, charming and graceful lady. Despite experiencing much pain in later years, she always displayed her warm personality and sense of humour. She will be remembered with great affection by her family and friends.

First published in the Chilbolton and Wherwell Community Magazine, February 2013.