AFTER years of campaigning, Gilhespy Way has been officially unveiled, in memory of former Matravers headteacher Nigel Gilhespy who died in 2006.
Family, former pupils, councillors and representatives from Barratt Homes all cheered as Nigel’s widow Elaine Gilhespy cut the ribbon to officially unveil the road sign. The road name was chosen as one of ten for the new White Horse View housing estate being built near The Mead.
Former students and colleagues of the late Nigel Gilhespy, headteacher at Matravers School from 1986 to 2005 collected over 2,000 signatures on a petition to name a road after him in 2014.
Elaine described the day as ‘momentous’ and said Nigel would have been humbled.
She said, “I’m so thrilled that it has come to fruition. It’s a great tribute to all the hard work Nigel did for the children of Westbury. For him, it was about ensuring every child fulfilled their full potential and he did everything he could to help them achieve this. He truly gave 101% to the school.
“He wasn’t one for glory but he would have felt very honoured and touched that it was the pupils who really wanted it and made it happen. He would have been humbled.
“It’s a wonderful memorial to him and to unveil it this week is particularly special because it’s 10 years since he died. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that made this happen.”
Local councillor Horace Prickett was amongst the campaigners and wrote to the developers to encourage their use of Nigel’s name. He said, “It is so important to have his name remembered because he was instrumental in building the success of the school. He pulled the school up by its boot straps and things changed dramatically whilst he was there.”
Mayor of Westbury Stephen Andrews and his wife Mary also attended the ceremony. Cllr Andrews said, “I’m delighted. It’s a triumph of people power over petty minded bureaucrats. To finally see the sign is wonderful. It is important to honour those who have given something meaningful to the community.”
