Nigel Pickering, well known in the area as a GP at the Malmesbury practice for 28years, passed away peacefully at home in mid-January, surrounded by his family. He leaves his wife Janet, and children Sarah, Tom and James.

After an itinerant childhood with his sister including spells in Scotland, Southern England and overseas, Nigel studied medicine at Oxford. He arrived in Malmesbury as the two GP practices were merging, and gained a reputation as an extremely kind, gentle and thoughtful, yet bright family doctor.

He helped the practice move into the computer era, with his knowledge and patience, and at Malmesbury Hospital, as well as being involved in maternity and Casualty work he was central to the running of the day hospital and the elderly medicine ward.

He retired five years ago, and took the opportunity to spend more time with his beloved family and in his garden. His talents were "endless", recalled good friend John Pettit.

He was at once a keen botanist, computer graphic designer, carpenter, keeper of birds and decorated artist. He even won a Gold award at last year's Royal Horticultural Society Art Show for a series of illustrations of plants from the Richtersveld in South Africa).

A book of condolence has been set up online for friends, family and patients to pay tribute to him.

Once complete, it will be printed as a hardback book and presented to his family.

Here is one contribution from Natalie and Sam Kenyon. “...It was lovely to see you about town every now and then, a true peer of the community. You must be incredibly missed by your family and friends, they must be comforted to know that you have left a wonderful legacy amongst Malmesbury’s community.”

Margaret Watson wrote: "He was a wonderful GP to our whole family over the years. I can still remember seeing him when I had just arrived from the USA and was newly pregnant. He took time to explain everything in his reassuring voice, and he remained that way through the years, always calm and comforting."

To sign the book, please go to rememberancebook.net/book/nigel-john-pickering