Stuart & Laila King

Stuart and Laila King moved to Holly Tree Cottage, Kiln Lane, Lacey Green, in 1988

Hallmark December 1992 an item was published written by Clem Brown after meeting Stuart. (this article has been edited, removing Clems personal opinions)

First I must acknowledge Stuart's talent as musical director of our Lacey Green Singers. In his lively forties, he lives amongst us with his Finnish wife Laila.

Music came into his life at the age of seven with piano lessons encouraged by his mother, revealing an innate interest and leading later to RSM Grade 8. He also studied languages

About ten years ago an Oxfordshire vicar asked Stuart to play piano and organ, and this led to the formation of a choir for special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. Then he moved to Lacey Green in 1988 and was organist at St. John's, Lacey Green Church, from early that year, the choir having been formed earlier. So, I asked about Stuart's musical interest. He mentioned Renanissance and Baroque art, the Romantics and some more modern music.

As for his working life, Stuart joined Associated Biscuits after a degree course in languages and was appointed overseas manager following training as an interpreter at the age of 23. Then there was travel in the USA, particularly Los Angeles, where he went with Laila in '79. The outcome was that he joined Coca-Cola as Sales Manager the following year and is now the marketing services manager for Africa, involving travels to Kenya, Zimbabwe and the Ivory Coast.

I regard Stuart King as a quietly confident but ambitious worker in his chosen field, ready to grasp challenges, but I trust he will continue to direct our Singers, matching his enthusiasm and devotion to theirs.