View source for Bert & May Dell

click [[Families]] for other local families

click [[Dell]] for others in this family[[File:Bert Dell.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:Bert and Kathleen Dell Wedding Aug 1956.jpg|left|thumb|August 1956.  Wedding of Bert and May]]
'''Bert Dell''' born in 1923 was the son of Cecil James Dell and Louisa, nee Saunders.   See [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Cecil_James_Dell_&_Louisa_Saunders Cecil James Dell & Louisa Saunders]

'''Kathleen May Mercer''' had come from London during WW2 as assistant with a nursery school evacuated to [[Loosley House]], Loosley Row, the home of [[Arthur & Joyce Waite]]

'''Bert Dell''' '''married Kathleen May Mercer in July 1956.'''

Bert had spent much of his childhood with his uncle and aunt [[Harold & Emily Hickman]].   They lived at & ran '[[Hickman Stores]]'.   Harold died 10th July 1946, leaving everything to Emily with provision made for the business to be inherited by Bert.   click [[Hickman Stores]] for history of the stores.

-

'''Hallmark October 1986.   Bert Dell.  The Editor Remembers.  by Ted Janes (editor)'''

With the whole village I was shocked and stunned to hear of Bert's death, and saddened that after 40 years of being the most popular shopkeeper of all time, "Open all hours", that he had only 7 months retirement. Much of that in poor health.

Sitting in the church before the funeral service, (a very packed church – tribute enough to the man) my own life and association with Bert flashed before me, as it does when someone about one's own age is taken; thinking 'there but for the grace of God, go I'.

I remembered our first meeting, in the very severe winter of 1940. Bert was the paperboy for Lacey Green and I for Speen, both working for newsagent Mr. Ted Lewis (Robin Oakford's grandfather). Both villages had been partly marooned for several weeks with 20 foot snow drifts and when the conditions improved so that Mr. Lewis was able to get from Lacey Green to Speen with his horse and cart, he brought with him Bert for moral Support, or just to help poor Dobbin up the steep hills. It was bitterly cold so Mr. Lewis took Bert and myself into the George Beer House (now the private residence of Parish Councillor Gordon Ellis) for a drink of ginger wine - in his own words - ‘to warm the cockles of your heart".   (click [[Edward & Ruth Lewis]] and [[Robin & Marion Oakford]] for Ted Lewis and Robin Oakford)

Later, as a young man playing cricket for Speen, in the very 'needle' matches against Lacey Green, they always fielded a crowd of vocally hostile spectators with Bert very much to the fore.  But then, when I changed sides and played for Lacey Green, Bert was there offering enthusiastic encouragement if one was doing well and particularly if Lacey Green was winning.  But if losing, vocal in his dissatisfaction, unable to hide his disappointment.

Then on village fete days, with his shopkeeping experience, knowing practically everyone and a jolly pleasant personality, he could extract the last penny from punters on "Bowling for the Pig" or "Back your Fancy", because Bert was a villager through and through, supporting generously every local fund-raising event.

I'm sure readers will agree that Bert was one of those people in life, that it is a privilege to have known, and join in sending sympathy to his wife May.

-

'''Death.'''   '''Emily Hickman died 5<sup>th</sup> May 1964, aged 84'''.

'''17<sup>th</sup> March 1965'''. ''' Conveyance'''.   The executors of Emily Hickman conveyed to Bert Ralph George Dell, at the bequest of her late husband ---All the shop and dwelling premises known as ‘The Stores’, now in the occupation of Bert Ralph George Dell.

'''5th April 1965  Conveyance'''.   [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Harry_Floyd Harry Floyd] of [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Floyds_Farm Floyds Farm] sold to Bert Ralph George Dell for £100.  All that piece of land, part of Floyd Farm, running in a narrow triangle to a point behind ‘The Stores’ and ‘[https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Kia_Cottage Kia Cottage]’.   ( this Conveyance is archived in Lacey Green [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Village_Hall Village Hall])

'''1964'''    Now called "'''Hickman Stores'''", the property was altered, extended and modernised.   ( The plan of the alterations is archived in Lacey Green [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Village_Hall Village Hall])

'''24<sup>th</sup> February 1986   Conveyance'''.   Bert Ralph George Dell of Lacey Green sold to Brian Thomas and Barbara June Norris of 25 Goviots Green, Gerrards Cross'''.'''   All that shop and dwelling premises, known as ‘Hickmans Stores’, with no land, for £95,000.   (a certified copy of this Conveyance is archived in Lacey Green [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Village_Hall. Village Hall.])

'''Extract''' from [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/1961_Social_Snapshot_by_Joan_West_(Autobiography) 1961 Social Snapshot by Joan West (Autobiography)]

............"then there were '''Bert and May Dell''' at '''Hickman’s Stores.'''    They stocked all I needed and I collected my bread from them four times a week.   They also sold petrol and paraffin which we needed for a convector heater that we stood in our hall in the winter.  “ Bert’s” was a wonderful place to get to know people.   At first it seemed that everyone in there knew everybody else.  And they probably did.   But Bert  and May always had a word for everyone and all were included.   They were first class village shopkeepers to my mind and a great help to me in feeling at home here."

May always seemed to be in the shop - often at week-ends with Bert's nephews and nieces helping refill the selves.    Bert was a supporter of the Sports Club and sport in general, 'supporter rather than 'player' - he had a business that came first!

'''Hallmark  April 1986.'''   As most readers will know, the Dells have for some years been building their retirement nest in the peaceful surroundings of [[Kiln Lane]] and great efforts had to be made by the Dell Bros. to have it ready for occupation by their retirement date.

All it remains for us to do is to add to the flood of greetings and good wishes that have poured into their lovely new home they call [[Kiln Lodge]], our own wish that they may both enjoy a well-earned rest and a long and happy retirement.

'''1986  Death of Bert Dell'''

'''1st July 1987'''.   '''Assent''' to the vesting of the freehold premises known as Kiln Lodge, Kiln Lane, Lacey Green to Kathleen May Dell.   (this Assent document is archived in Lacey Green [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Village_Hall Village Hall])

'''1st July 1987.    Assent''' to the vesting of the block of land, formerly forming part of the premises, Lacey Green, known as "Hickman's Stores to Kathleen May Dell as personal representative of Bert Ralph George Dell.   (on this land, adjacent to Hickmans Stores, May Dell had a house built by Dell Bros, Builders, which she called "[[Honeysuckle Cottage]]").    (this Assent document is archived in Lacey Green [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Village_Hall Village Hall])

'''1st July 1987.'''   '''Assent''' to the vesting of all that piece of land formerly part of Floyds Farm, Lacey Green lying in a triangle behind the site of Honeysuckle Cottage. Hickmans Stores and [[Kia Cottage]].   (this Assent document is archived in Lacey Green [[Village Hall]])

May Dell moved to [[Honeysuckle Cottage]] in 1988/9.

'''Death.    Kathleen May Dell died on 14th May 2011'''.   Her executor was Marion Rosemary Dell of [[Robmau]], Main Road, Lacey Green