John A. Bowen

John A. Bowen, born in Malmesbury, England, was a sought after dressmaker, noted historian, keen artist, and massively talented guy who was passionate about Malmesbury. He studied Design and History of Art, writing his first paper on Malmesbury Abbey in 1966, and thereafter continued to study the town. His family had lived in the town from about 1700—and possibly earlier—and he was a Freeman of Malmesbury. Mr. Bowen served as mayor in 2002 and 2003 when the Queen made the first visit to the town by a reigning monarch in 350 years.

In 2000 he published a well-respected account of the town’s roots titled The Story of Malmesbury, which was the first part of a planned two-part history. A member of the town council, he also chaired the project board that oversaw the redevelopment of the town’s cottage hospital into a modern primary care centre. The health campus now serves as a blueprint for similar developments throughout Wiltshire.

Sources: Wilts & Gloustershire Standard and The Story of Malmesbury (2000)