FUN-LOVING, well respected and involved in the community – those are just a few of the phrases used to describe Wroughton character Christine Spooncer, who died recently.

Christine, pictured – known as Chris – was a member of Wroughton Parish Council for more than 15 years and also helped to run other events and facilities in the village.

She died of cancer aged only 58 before Christmas and hundreds of people attended her funeral at Kingsdown Crematorium.

Her sister Pat Lewis, 68, said: “She was just a fun-loving, happy person. She was just so important to us all and she was just a lovely person.

“She was always involved in lots of things, she was really well respected and liked in the village. She is very much missed by me and my siblings.”

Born on August 1, 1952 in Green’s Lane, Wroughton, Chris, who was the youngest of five children, went to the village schools and was described as a shy, quiet child.

Her life changed when her parents bought her a pony, Sonnet, which started her lifelong connection with horses.

After she left school, Chris had various jobs at different firms, including Terry Warner’s sports shop, in Commercial Road, and Barrett’s builders’ yard, in Wroughton.

Her next venture was to open stables at her home in the village where many local children not only learnt how to ride but spent most of their weekends and holidays working and playing there.

By this time Chris had married husband Bill and the couple continued to live in Wroughton.

Sadly, the stables became uneconomic and she moved on to work with horses for the family at Elcombe Hall.

Chris joined Lawn Pharmacy as a counter assistant when it opened about five years ago and frequently went beyond the call of duty in her dealings with customers.

For many years she was a member of Wroughton Parish Council, where she chaired the Rights of Way committee and organised the popular parish walks every year.

She was the parish council representative on the Ellendune Community Centre committee and later took over as chairman of the committee.

Her friend Ann Richards, vice chairman of the parish council, said: “She was somebody who was always ready to help people and get involved in the local affairs.

“And she has a great sense of humour which made everything seem fun.

“People expected to see Chris in the village walking around in riding boots and a puffa jacket with a black Labrador – often that’s how people would see her.”

Her favourite charity, for which she fundraised tirelessly, was The Brooke, which helps horses, mules and donkeys in some of the world’s poorest places.

Every year she ran a fete to support the organisation in her garden.

Chris died at home on December 6 and her funeral was held on January 5.

She is survived by Bill – her husband of 33 years – four brothers and sisters and their families.