New Marlborough mace bearer Bob DobieNEW Marlborough mace bearer Bob Dobie is a great traditionalist right down to following in the footsteps of his late great uncle Fred.

Fred Dobie was one of town's pair of mace bearers for years in the 1940s and 1950s.

And just as Fred Dobie met King George VI and Queen Elizabeth when they visited Marlborough in 1946, Bob Dobie met Prince Charles on his visit to the town for the Charter Anniversary celebrations in June.

Mr Dobie, 36, was not mace bearer in June but as chairman of the Rabley Wood View Residents association he was introduced to Prince Charles.

Mr Dobie and Stanley Radnedge have taken over as mace bearers from Eric Gay and Tony Sansom, who both retired earlier this year.

Like his great uncle, Mr Dobie is heavily involved in community activities and organisations.

One the great loves of his life has been the annual Mop fairs and as a teenager he co-wrote with another enthusiast Ian Philpott a history of the fairs.

Mr Dobie, married with a ten year old son, has also built a model of the mop fairground.

He said that one of his greatest moments was to accompany the Mayor, Coun Graham Francis, to the official opening of the fairs.

Mr Dobie said: "Being a fair ground enthusiast for as long as I can remember and being at the opening with the mayor was the icing on the cake, a great moment for me."

Marlborough-born Mr Dobie lives in Rabley Wood View with his wife, Michele, and son and was a founder member of the street's residents' association.

He went to the three local schools, St Mary's, St Peter's and St John's and has worked as a section manager in the Somerfield supermarket for the past ten years.

He served on the carnival committee for a number of years and played a constable in the town play, Wheels of Time, that was part of the 800th anniversary celebrations.

A Marlburian through and through, Mr Dobie said he was proud of his town and of being able to continue the tradition started by his late and well remember Great Uncle Fred.