Funeral firm has new owner (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Funeral firm has new owner

A LEADING north Cotswold funeral director has been bought by a former chairman of Cotswold District Council and member of the Church of England General Synod.

Timothy Royle, of Icomb House, who made his fortune in financial services, has bought WJ Wright of Stow, which was run by the late John Wright for 20 years until his death earlier this year.

Mr Wright's widow Jane, who has run the business since her husband's death and will be staying on as a consultant to the new business, said she was pleased to be selling to a local man.

"He's put in an extremely efficient director and he will be using the same employees.

He's particularly concerned that it continues to be operated on a caring, personal basis," said Mrs Wright.

It is the first time Mr Royle, who has bought the business in the name of Cotswold Assistance but will continue to operate under the name WJ Wright from premises in Well Lane, has been involved in the funeral business.

"I have been a lay minister for both the Anglican and Methodist Church for the past 40 years and have always been interested in this pastoral service.

"John Wright and Jane have always given that personal touch," said Mr Royle, Conservative district councillor for the Rissingtons.

Mr Royle has installed an experienced funeral director, Ian Marsden of Milton-under-Wychwood, to run the firm on a day-to-day basis.

Despite being a devout Christian, Mr Royle said that the business would continue to accept changing social trends, including the increasing demand for non-religious funerals.