Obituaries

BAKER RITA

Peacefully at home on Friday 8th January 2021, aged 85 years. Beloved wife of the late Osmond, dearly loved mum to Kevin, Clifford, Tina and Wayne. Devoted grandmother, great grandmother and great, great-grandmother. Treasured mother-in-law, sister-in-law, auntie and friend. Will be sadly missed by all the family and many friends. Private cremation. Donations in Rita’s memory for St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice may be sent c/o Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367.

Star dies of covid-19

Many people will be familiar with the Ringrose Pottery sign across the doorway of one of the cottages in Blandford St Mary opposite the gates of Bryanston School. Joyce Ringrose, a wellknown Dorset artist, lived and worked there for almost 40 years until she passed away in December aged 90. Joyce was a pupil at Bournemouth School for Girls followed by a Bournemouth College of Art qualification in Fine Art. Her other passion was swimming and she spent a few years after college as a professional synchronised swimmer, otherwise known as an “aquabelle”, in the Pier Approach Bournemouth Aqua shows. Before settling down to have a family, she toured with the European Aqua Show of Buster Crabb, who won the 1932 Olympic gold medal for America in the 400metre freestyle swimming event, which launched his film career portraying the top three comic strip heroes A star of the circus circuit who launched his show in Sturminster Newton half a century ago has died. Father of four Gerry Cottle died aged 75 after catching covid. Gerry launched his circus in Stur in 1970, but after eight weeks of shows he closed, having failed to make a profit. However he went on to achieve great things. By the mid 70s he was touring three shows, and he eventually bought Somerset tourist attraction Wookey Hole, having auctioned off masses of circus memorabilia. His agent Mark Borkowski tweeted: “RIP Gerry Cottle the last of the great circus showmen. “In a fraction of a second the b****** virus ripped your life away. I shall never forget all the mad adventures we shared.” Cottle’s first show had just five performers and was staged inside a second-hand tent that used to be used to sell flowers. He was also a pioneer in stopping the use

Obituary Former Aquabelle a well known artist

By Nicci Brown

FINE ART: Joyce Ringrose

of animals in circuses. of the 1930s – Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. Joyce continued to paint whilst bringing up a family. She returned to her art education as a mature student and gained a B.Ed. (Hons) degree at La Sainte Union College, Southampton in Art and Ceramics followed by five years’ fulltime teaching at Portchester Boys School, Bournemouth during the late 1970s. Whilst at Portchester School she competed in the staff versus pupils swimming gala, becoming the first ever female to take part. Joyce gave up teaching to establish the popular Ringrose Pottery in the mid1980s. In 1995 she returned to painting and began exhibiting locally as well as selling her artwork in galleries around Dorset and the South West. She was a regular member of Dorset Art Weeks, opening her studio and garden to visitors. The cliffs, quarries, beaches and harbours of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall were a constant source of inspiration to her. Although registered blind for some years, failing sight and did not hinder her until quite recently. Her bold use of colour continued to create joyful paintings from our beautiful surroundings. She was a popular artist with galleries across the South West and had many artist friends across the region. She was also a Greenpeace member, CND supporter, Greenham Common peace campaigner and a member of a local choral society.