It is with great sadness that we have been advised that our former president, Mark Wightman, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 3 March.
Mark had been ill for a number of years, although you would never have known it, as he continued to go about his daily life with the utmost enthusiasm and dedication to the many organisations he supported.
Whilst Mark never played for Bassett (his playing days were drawing to a close as our club was being formed), he became a keen supporter and advocate for our club and of course, held the position of Club President between 2008 and 2023.
Using his professional skills as a chartered surveyor, Mark was instrumental in guiding the club through the complex process of our move from Stoneover Lane to Ballards Ash, and his quiet, though steely determination, was critical in the many tense negotiations we had along the way.
A true supporter of RWBRFC, Mark was a regular at both home and away matches and could often be seen prowling the touch line with his knitted Bath scarf wrapped around his neck and body like a sporting boa constrictor. Even if you couldn’t see him, you could probably hear his dulcet tone shouting his favourite catchphrase, “Come on, Bass. Believe!”
A true gent, he will be sadly missed.
Funeral Arrangements
Mourners are welcome to attend Mark’s funeral service, which will take place on Tuesday 31 March at 1.30pm at Broad Hinton Church.
This will be followed by a committal service at 3.00pm at North Wiltshire Crematorium.
Afterwards, all are invited to join the family at Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club, Ballards Ash, for a wake to celebrate Mark’s life.
www.hillierfuneralservice.co.uk/obituaries/mark-hugh-wightman
Transport
Coach transport will be available to those from the rugby club wishing to attend the church service. To help us manage numbers for the 59-seat coach, we kindly ask that anyone intending to use this service register their interest in advance. Please get in touch with Club President Andrew Gassor by email at president@rwbrfc.club or by text on 07778 634429. This will ensure that everyone who wishes to travel is able to do so.
The coach will depart from the club at 12.15pm and will return to Ballards Ash following the church service. Please note that the coach will not continue on to the crematorium.
Read more
Read our 2023 tribute to Mark Wightman as he stepped down as Club President here:
Farewell-and-gratitude-a-tribute-to-rwbrfc-president-mark-wightman
