Photograph of Brian Sidney Newman

Brian Sidney Newman was born in 1933 at Lydiard Park Cottage on the Lydiard estate. By 1939 Brian and his sister Pat were living with their parents (Sidney) Frank and Vera Newman at No 13 Shaw, his lifetime home.

With his sister, Brian attended the primary school in Lydiard Millicent later going on to secondary school in Purton. He completed a carpentry apprenticeship and worked for many years at the Swindon Motor Company. He also spent two years in the Royal Navy and served during the Suez Crisis.

Brian was an active member of the local Shaw community. He was manager and player for Shaw United Football club, fundraising for the team and buying the half-time oranges.

Along with his father, Brian was a keen cyclist, travelling up to 100 miles most Sundays out into the Cotswolds. When Frank grew too old to cycle safely, Brian bought a tandem for them to continue their weekend travels.

Brian had a passion for travel but only enjoyed his first flight in 2003, aged 70, when he travelled to New York with his niece Joanne and her friends. On his return, he discovered a new passion - the TV programme Friends.

Brian attended the Friends' Cake and Tales event, enjoying a front row seat where he contributed to the memories and the conversation.

Brian Newman died in April 2025 aged 91; likely the oldest resident in Old Shaw Lane.

A celebration of his long life was held at Royal Wootton Bassett Crematorium, where the exit music was ‘I’ll Be There For You’, the theme tune from the Friends’ series, and the anthem for his life.