DUCKER-- ALLEN On Saturday, April 28, 2012, Mark, son of Christopher, of Ilkley and the late Mary-Ann and Lucy, daughter of Desmond and Jeanne, of Coddington.

DUCKER--- ALLEN Des and Jeanne Allen of Coddington are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Lucy to Mark, son of Chris and the late Mary-Anne. Congratulations to them both.

Ducker On Saturday, April 21, 2018, to Mark and Lucy (n[e]e Allen), a beautiful daughter, Sophie Nicole. Love and congratulations from all the Allen family.

A woman who was involved with St Swithun's Church, Long Bennington, for many years has died. Mrs Margaret Ogden, of Long Bennington, died at Newton House Nursing Home, Grantham. She was 78. Born in Long Bennington, she was the daughter of James and Annie Smith, and sister to Jim. She attended the village primary school, and Lilley and Stone Girls' High School, Newark. She was regularly in touch with her old schoolmates right up to her death. After leaving school, she went to work in the laboratory at Worthington Simpson, Newark. She married Mr Ray Ogden, and they later moved to a new house they had built on Church Street, Long Bennington. Their only daughter, Angela, was born in October 1959. After her mother, Annie, suffered a stroke in 1996, Mrs Ogden nursed her at home until she died in 2008. Mrs Ogden was involved for many years in different roles at St Swithun's Church, including bellringing, leading the Sunday School, and singing in the choir. She served for 31 years as churchwarden, and 44 years on the parochial church council, including 40 years as the PCC secretary. In later years she served as the planned-giving secretary and verger. She was involved with many other organisations, both within and outside the village. These included the Long Bennington Charities, where she acted as a trustee, The Friends of St James' Village Hall, and the WRVS, where she helped deliver meals on wheels, earning a long-service award. Her early love of her sporting activities never left her and she always liked watching all the major sporting competitions on television, particularly Wimbledon. She was a member of Grantham Choral Society, and enjoyed taking part in their various works. Her main musical interest was classical music. Reflecting her love of all things historical, she belonged to the Lincolnshire branch of The Richard III Society, the Long Bennington Local History Society, and attended many lectures with the Workers' Educational Association. She had visited every cathedral in England and Wales, and had an extensive collection of postcards from the historical places she visited. She regularly took part in the annual Owl quiz in Long Bennington. The funeral service, held at St Swithun's, was conducted by the Rev John Bruce, with the organ played by Pat Poyser. Family mourners included Angela and Robert Swan, Jim and Gill Smith, Christopher and Charlotte Swan, and Helen Swan. Other mourners included: Tim and Heather Smith, Alison Burrell, Gay Baggaley, Valerie Richardson, Ted Pykett, Ann and Dennis Andrews, Mick and Anne Beale, Joyce Bainbridge, Dot Ball, Beatrice Tuckwood, Jean Spicer, Barbara Maciejewski, R. and J. Lambert, Noel Brownhill, Pat Ullman, Linda Reeves, Jean Townsend (also representing the Lincolnshire Richard III Society) Robert and Patricia Wall, Betty Kerr, Margaret Ogden (also representing Esther and Tony Sheardown) and Elizabeth Tickler (also representing Rachel Earland and Richard Ogden). Martin and Jilly Radford, Nicholas and Mary Smith, Kevin and Sally Connors, Beryl Holmes, Betty Dobbs, Avril Turgoose, Joan Widdowson, Brian Widdowson, John and Edna Cox, Jane Cowley, Riky Fenton, Gill Mason, Mary Dring (also representing George Dring) Joy Jordan, Sylvia Hallam, Win Oram, Pearl Farmer, John and Barbara Proctor, Mr and Mrs Ralph Knight, Maureen Prothero, Carol Lewis, Irene Adams, Terry and Janet Forrester, Glenys Breedon, David and Rita Bradley, Aubrey Applewhite, Sheila Stevens, Michelle Massey, Sue Taylor, Jill Sanders, Peter and Rita Drury (also representing the Rev Stella Langdon-Davies). Audrey Lister, Jean Higgs, Ted and Lesley Bates, Wendy Wright, Hilda Owen, Jenny McCallum, Pat Clarke, Rita Gordon, Gill Charles (also representing Grantham Choral Society) Hazel Tebb, Hilda Mugglestone, Barbara Baumber, Pat Bennett, Primrose Matthews, Rita Wright, Beryl Fearn, Gillian Cook, Alan and Marion Bishop (also representing Carol Steele) Jean Bowes, Ann Howell, Betty Clipsham, Jean Parkin, Dick Blankley, Twiggy, Pat Mitchell, Angela Miller, Margaret Brewer, Phil and Kath Willis, Shirley Dalton (also representing Long Bennington Local History Society) Ann Busse, Jo Eurich, Peter and Joyce Pearce, Peter and Chris Mullis, Colin Smith, Gordon Scott, Evelyn Bale and Pat Poyser. Funeral arrangements were by E. Gill and Sons, Newark. Donations were received for the Breast Cancer Campaign, amounting to £789.15 to date.

COUPER On Tuesday, February 11, 2014, suddenly in Kingsmill Hospital, Jean, aged 85 years. Beloved wife of John and mother of Ian and Alan. Much loved grandmother of Neil, Fiona and Craig. Jean lived in Balderton with John for 3 years. The funeral is at Sherwood Forest Crematorium, on Monday, February 24, at 10.30am. Rest in peace Jean, you deserve to.

MARCHBANK On November 30, 2016, Jean Mary, died peacefully at home after a short illness, with her loving family around her, aged 79 years. Dearly loved wife of Keith, devoted mum of Catherine and Nicholas and granny of Joseph, Matthew, Sam and Harry. Funeral service to take place at St Mary's Church, Egmanton, on Monday, December 12, 2016, at 2pm, followed by private burial at Egmanton Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, for the benefit of Cancer Research UK will be gratefully received by Funeral Directors, G. D. Hall, Newark Road, Tuxford, NG22 0NA, 01777 872929. 'A courageous lady who loved life and will always be in our hearts'.

GELSTHORPE On February 23, 2016, Mary Jean (n[e]e Swain), in Lancaster Grange Care Home, after a long illness bravely fought, aged 80 years. Dearly loved wife of the late George, much loved mother of Kenneth and Leanne, Elaine and Russell and a dearest grandma and great grandma. Inquiries for funeral arrangements, to E. Gill and Sons Ltd. Tel: 01636 677461