AFTER nearly four years of service, Cricklade’s town clerk is leaving at the end of the month.

Shelley Parker is signing off from Cricklade Town Council to take up the same position in Marlborough, following the unexpected death of its clerk, Derek Wolfe, in September.

The mother-of-two, who worked for the diplomatic service in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office between 1984 and 2003, said she would miss working in the town.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here,” she said.

“I’ve learned so much about this lovely part of Wiltshire, alongside a great team of councillors and staff.”

A party will be held for Mrs Parker at the town council offices on Friday.

She said: “I’m looking forward to working in Marlborough. Who wouldn’t be? It’s pretty, steeped in history and has a deserved reputation as one of the county’s most impressive market towns. It has a vibrant, busy high street, as well as residents with a real sense of community and pride in their town.”

During her time with the FCO, she held various postings, both in Whitehall and at British embassies and high commissions including Moscow, Paris and Islamabad.

During these years, she worked on management and commercial operations and dealt with various specialised consular and immigration services. She also spent five years working for North Wiltshire District Council in its democratic services and community teams.

Mrs Parker, who is married to fellow civil servant Richard Parker, came second to Mr Wolfe in the process to appoint a new town clerk for Marlborough last January.

Prior to this, Mr Wolfe had been the acting town clerk for a month, following the departure of his predecessor, Liam Costello, who returned to work closer to his home in Northamptonshire.

Mr Wolfe, 58, died on September 24, at Great Western Hospital, as the result of an aneurysm.

He had fallen ill at his rented apartment in Kennet Place, Marlborough, where he lived during the week, returning to his home in Axminster, Devon, at weekends.

Mrs Parker said: “I am only sorry that the town clerk’s post has become vacant in such sad circumstances. I met Derek Wolfe on a handful of occasions and found him to be helpful, knowledgeable and very likeable.”