DIANA Brimblecombe MBE, founder of the Hurst-based animal rescue centre, has passed away aged 95.
‘Mrs B’, as she was affectionately known by friends and staff at the centre, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, September 20.
Formally known as the Wokingham Animal Rescue Group, the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre (DBARC) was set up in Mrs Brimblecombe’s back garden, before moving to the site in Nelson’s Lane, Hurst, in 2003.
Born Diana Molloy in 1919 to Sylvia and General Roy Malloy of the Royal Marines, The Commandant at Chatham, Diana’s love of animals was evident from an early age, often finding herself ‘confined to barracks’ for smuggling injured animals passed the sentries.
In 1939, Diana ‘came out’ in society as a debutante, being presented to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, at Buckingham Palace. While most young ladies of privilege would have subsequently devoted themselves to a life of ease, punctuated with social events, Diana spent the following years working in factories and driving ambulances for the war effort.
Having moved to Wokingham to stay with her aunt, Mrs Pelly of Claire Court in Glebelands Road, Diana met and married Bill Brimblecombe, and quickly turned their home in Crescent Road into a sanctuary for sick and injured animals.
Diana took her first official animal welfare position as Honorary Secretary of the local RSPCA, before the family moved to Cornwall in an effort to ease Bill’s ailing health. Diana returned to Wokingham a few years later to look after her elderly parents, and having moved into Britton’s Farm in 1960, she set about indulging her passion for animal welfare in earnest. The centre was formally organised under the banner of The Wokingham Animal Rescue Group in 1969, and became a registered charity in 1988.
In 1998 Diana was honoured with a Civic Award, and in 2001, she was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her services to Animal Rescue.
In her formative years, Mrs Brimblecombe stayed in constant contact with the shelter, despite handing over the reins in 2003, keeping involved in the shelter’s annual calendar and open days.
A tribute to Mrs Brimblecombe posted on the shelter’s website read: “DBARC is sadly mourning the loss of Mrs Brimblecombe, our founder and inspiration, who died on Sunday 20 September 2015. She passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, just a few weeks short of her 96th birthday.
“Mrs B”, as most of us affectionately called her, was a truly unique lady, who dedicated so much of her life to helping animals, and who also inspired so many other people to do so. She was an amazing person, and she will be sadly missed and very fondly remembered by the many, many people whose lives she touched.
“DBARC, the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre, stands as an everlasting tribute to her, and all of us who are involved in the charity are committed to continue to give care to animals in need, always remembering with great fondness the remarkable lady who gave her name to the charity, and so much time, love and energy to the animals that came into her care.”
Local residents paid their respects and shared their memories of Mrs Brimblecombe on The Wokingham Paper Facebook page.
Lorraine Hall wrote: “I remember when my cat Tiger went missing and someone took her to Diana’s place which was then by Brimblecombe’s coaches at the back of Meadow Way in Wokingham where we lived. Tiger was fatally wounded but she kept her remains for several weeks until we thought to check with her, we were very grateful….R.I.P Diana x”
Pat Tucker wrote: “ A dedicated Animal Lover who inspired many.”
And Shan Woodley posted: “Remember her well – nice lady and did such good work.”
A memorial page has been set up in honour of Diana Brimblecombe. To leave your message of condolence visit http://diana.brimblecombe.muchloved.com.
