Miles & Kathleen Marshall

click Miles Marshall for list of subjects researched by Miles

Research by Joan West

Miles and Kathleen Marshall came to live at Bulla Burra in Slad Lane in 1972. They changed the name to Apple Acre

Death of Miles. In Hallmark May 1988. John Spurry reporting for the Horticultural Society wrote -"I start with some sad news. Miles Marshall of 'Apple Acre'. Slad Lane has passed away. He was a founder member of the society, a Vice President, for many years a Committee Member and a fund of information on gardening

The garden at ‘Apple Acre' is a wonderful peaceful haven to which, with the assiduous help of Kathleen his wife, he gave very much tender loving care. Many members of the community will have taken the opportunity to enjoy its tranquillity when it was open for viewing on 'Village Day'.

Miles, of course, contributed much to the village. His frontispieces for Hallmark and his well-researched articles on so many points of local interest were meticulous, and he and Kathleen spent a lot of time in trying to improve the front surrounds of the Village Hall.

Miles will be much missed but well-remembered.

To Kathleen, Mrs. Barbara Hebbard his twin sister, and other members of the family we send heartfelt condolences.

Death of Miles in Hallmark May 1988. Ted Janes (click Ted & Jean Janes for more of Ted) the editor of 'Hallmark' published the following tribute :-

Miles Marshall, like so many people, chose Lacey Green for his retirement and surely no retirement has been so happy and productive, not only for himself and family but for this community.

He came here in the early '70's at a time when the population was still comparatively stable, before the frantic movement that is occurring today, when the locals were still inquisitive as to who had moved to where.

So we were somewhat anxious when the late Beatrice Fagge known as Peg or Peggy one of the greatest stalwarts the Village Hall ever had, moved from her bungalow in Slad Lane, to one in Church Lane. Who was going to take over the care of that marvellous garden, would the new occupants get so involved in village life? Who could it be? With Peggy still residing in the village, who would dare to change the name of the bungalow from "Bulla Burra" to "Apple Acre"?

We didn't have to wait long. Miles soon answered my appeal for cover drawings for Hallmark and chose as his subject the gate and arched entrance to Westcroft Stables, Speen Farm. His first combined cover drawings and story was of the country lane on which his bungalow is situated, a lane he grew to love, a lane he tended regularly by clearing up every scrap of rubbish.

From that first article, and it has been so much part of the interest and popularity of Hallmark, came over 30 contributions, sometimes at my request, but more often at his suggestion. He would ring me early in the morning excited to tell of a new story subject - inspiration i suspect came during the night.

During 10 years we developed a friendship and close working relationship, dedicated to the interest and betterment of the village magazine. I enjoyed every moment of it and I know Miles did, immensely. It is only articles like this I find so difficult and sad so, if I use a phrase to describe Miles that I have used before, perhaps readers will forgive me because it is so apt to say he was a 'gentle' gentleman.

When the history of this area comes to be written (if ever) it will surely be all those painstakingly researched articles from Miles that will form the main reference guide.

Together with the article in this edition we still have several more prepared, he was so prolific. As our tribute to him these cover drawings and stories will continue for the remainder of the year. This, I know, would have been his dearest wish. His last article, on the workings of the Windmill, was virtually finished on his deathbed, rallying the family round to help. It's his own tribute, as an ex-windmill warden, to the Chiltern Society members' years of toil and dedication in restoring the mill so that corn could be ground in 1988, and for all the Chiltern Society stood for in the observation of rural life, so much dear to his heart.

He was interested in all aspects of village life, particularly the Horticultural society, but its here, in the Hallmark pages, as a contributor, as a friend, that I am sure our readers will miss him.

To his wife Kathleen and all the family we send our deepest sympathy.

Hallmark July 1992. Notice. Goodbye to Kathleen Marshall from Apple Acre, Slad Lane, leaving the village for a home with a smaller garden, our best wishes go with her.

Note from the Local History Group. Miles had a twin sister, Barbara Hebbard who also lived in Lacey Green. click Barbara Hebbard for more about Barbara