Randall & Peggy Evans
From Lacey Green History
Randall Evans is mentioned in the following :-
Randall Evans was the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee from at least 1979 to 1982. He also wrote the Village Hall report for Hallmark on occasion.
Hallmark December 1982. Christmas message from Randall Evans, Chairman of the Village Hall Committee :-
I first joined the Village Hall committee with completely selfish motives - to give myself something to do in retirement. It wasn't long before I discoverred that community service brings its own rewards and that one gets more out than one puts in.
So my message to you all is simply this; get yourself involved. Have a very happy Christmas and a fully involved 1983.
Hallmark October 1985. Death of Mrs Peggy 'Pegi' Evans. by Ted Janes
It is sad for us to report the death of Mrs Pegi Evans, she had unfortunately been an invalid for a very long period, ad seldom ventured out in recent years. So many new residents will only know her through her husband Randall, who has worked so hard for the Village Hall and The Windmill restoration with often great difficulty with his wife to look after.
But older inhabitants will remember Mrs Evans as an active woman in the Women's Institute and no doubt remember her with affection as librarian in the days before the mobile library, when the County Council had a small library at the Village Hall which was run on a voluntary basis by the Women's Institute. Throughout her years of immobility she kept abreast of village affairs through her husbands and friends, and Hallmark of which she was an ardent patron,
We send our sympathy to Randall and his son John.
Hallmark November 1994. Notice. We regret we have to record the death of Randall Evans.
Hallmark November 1994. A Tribute To Randall Evans by Ted Janes
Many people looked upon Randall Evans as a local, after all he lived in the village for 45 years. But he was in fact a New Zealander born in Masterton in the South Island.
He came to England at the age of 26 to qualify as an architect, and architecture always remained his first love.
His native land called him back several times; always proud of his family roots in particular his grandfather who was the first Harbour-Master of Littlestone.
Life as a partner with a busy firm of city architects, meant that he wasn't able to enter into village activity until retirement, but then he threw himself wholeheartedly into village life, particularly after the death of his wife Pegi.
He was Chairman of the Village Hall for several years, responsible and constantly on hand during the difficult period of re-building the hall – and although he was not the architect, but two young men from his office setting out on their own – his stamp was very much on it – reflecting the soft cosy feeling of the interior.
Always interested in local government he became a Parish Councillor for a short time, but failing hearing was a great frustration to him, and restricted his involvement.
He was a founder member of The Twinning Association being one of the 15 who made the first inaugural visit to Hambye, where he became a local hero, because of his exploits in the 'D' Day Landings. During the war he was with the Royal Engineers responsible for P.L.U.T.O. (Pipeline under the ocean) supplying vital fuel to the allies during the Normandy campaign.
For the historic twinning ceremony Randall paid for a chain of office for the Parish Council Chairman, so as to compete on a par with the major of Hambye.
He was to many of us a loveable, father like figure and his presence, energy, expertise and as a generous benefactor will be sorely missed.
Clem Brow wrote the following appreciation of Randall Evans in November 1992. It was published in Hallmark in January 1993.
"It has been my pleasure to know the jovial and friendly Randall Evans. At 84 and retired, he is open and communicative. Randall is a New Zealander, born in Masterton and schooled is Christchurch, South Island. He left there in 1936, but has returned there with great pleasure many times. His father was a captain and indeed the first harbour master at Littletone.
Randall came to the UK to study and qualified as an architect at the age of 26. He joined the army at the beginning of WW2, but came back to his firm in London, namely Yorke, Rosenberg and Mardall. Then there was the new education act of the forties and Randall was much involved in new schools development, not least at Stevenage; but also airports, hospitals and other institutions.
Randall and his Welsh wife Pegi moved into a new house at the back of Idle Corner, Lacey Green which he designed. They called it 'Idle Corner' to identify it from Idle Corner, the place, click Idle Corner House.
Pegi was an elegant lady and a model.
Randall and Pegi later moved to Hendre, Church Lane, where Pegi lived for all too short a time.
Randall has been retired these last ten years with memories of many good things and a busy life's experiences. He declares himself a supporter of modern local development having regard to rural character."
Research Note. The appreciation above has been edited to remove Clem Brown's own opinions, which he frequently added.
Randall Evans is mentioned in the following :-
The following is taken from Hallmark, when Randall had been unwell before Christmas :-
Dear Ted,
Thank you for allowing me a few lines to give some or your readers a private message for Christmas. I have lived in Lacey Green almost exactly half of my 85 years and consider myself very lucky to have chosen this lovely village on top of the Chilterns.
To the 50 or so that usually receive a card, please forgive my lack of motivation and accept my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
And to all the readers of "Hallmark" - think how lucky we are to have such a magazine, so well produced in this small village.
Randall Evans, Hendre, Church Lane.
The following is the reply by Ted Janes (editor) :- How could I not concede to such a request from an ex-chairman who did so much to smooth the trauma of the re-building of our Village Hall. We all wish you all the very best and a speedy recovery, and thanks for all your past work.