View source for Wilf & 'Rene Sanders

'''Wilf Sanders was the Lettings Secretary''' on the [[Village Hall Committee]] from at least 1979 to 1984.

'''Rene Sanders''' was the [[Village Hall]] caretaker at least in 1979.   In 1980 and 1981 she represented [[The 81st Club]] on the [[Village Hall Committee]].

'''A Tribute by Bob Sanders (son)'''[[File:Wilfred Saunders.jpg|thumb]]
For even more click [[1984 Wilf & 'Rene Sanders leave]], and [[2013 Irene Sanders obituary]] also [[2007 Wilf Sanders obituary]].

'''Wilf and Irene ('Rene) moved into Lacey green in early 1966'''

Wilf was a born and bred farm worker and came to work for Dick West on [[Stocken Farm]] in part as a relief cowman as well as a general farm worker. Wilf had, prior to this worked on a number of farms in the Surrey and Sussex areas the last of which was in South Godstone, Surrey.  As was typical in those days they and their 3 sons lived in tied cottages, most of which were in very poor condition.  This changed for the good when they arrived in Lacey Green moving into a brand new house in Kiln Lane.  This was a thoroughly modern house with central heating, double gazing and unlike the cottage they had left in Surrey perfectly dry.   Joan West,  Dicks daughter-in-law maintains Wilf’s house was at that time way better than hers and John's, built in 1937.

GETTING INVOLVED

Wilf and Irene soon embraced village life and over the years got involved in a number of groups and organisations.   In their time they took on the role of manager and cleaner of the [[Village Hall]].   This in the days when the hall was not much more than a metal clad hut with worn out timber floors and a small kitchen at the front.

IRENE

Irene originally from Southfields in London had met Wilf during the war when she was a member of the Land Army. She became involved in what was then [[The 81st Club|The 81<sup>st</sup> Club]] and eventually became secretary working with the other ladies involved. I remember her involved in so many day trips and of course there was always the hugely popular Christmas dinner cooked by Irene and the other willing ladies.  ( 'Rene represented [[The 81st Club]] on the [[Village Hall Committee]] in 1979 and 1980. 

YOUTH CLUB

Lacey Green has over the years had a number of youth Clubs run by so many willing and generous people. In the mid 1960’s there were for a while 2 clubs, one a Junior club led by Vera Griffiths who lived with Vic her husband in Roundlands and a senior club led by Peter Barnard who lived at the bottom of Little Lane, Loosley Row. Both clubs were very successful at that time attended mostly by local teenagers. There were lots of things organised for the clubs, on one occasion the late Sir John and Lady Hall at the time the local member of parliament coming to the club to explain the internal workings of the House of Commons.

25 MILE WALK

On one occasion a sponsored walk was arranged over 25 miles,   it involved the whole village with the likes of Gordon Turner actually completing the walk and then going back to work straight after.   Of course the junior section by nature of the distance involved had so much sponsorship money riding on them.   Great care and encouragement was needed to get them home to complete the 25 miles on what was a very hot day, as a result of everyone’s hard work a large amount of money raised for charity.

CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME

On occasions the 2 clubs combined, particularly when it came to the Christmas pantomime.   This was usually performed over a couple of nights and on at least one occasion went on the road!   Ok it did one performance in Speen.   Vera Griffiths was one of the producers and as you would expect in the early weeks rehearsals were taken somewhat lightly by the cast, that is until the final couple of weeks when reality struck home, the costumes were being tried on made by parents and helpers, the scenery and lighting was taking shape and all the panic and nerves and of course fun that go with a village production.

AD-LIBBING

The performances were always fully booked and really enjoyed by the village folk, this was helped in part by some ad-libbing by the cast which of course got more laughs than the actual script.

BONFIRE NIGHT

Another joint event was the bonfire night celebrations.   It was here that Wilf brought in some external experience.   Born and bred up in Brockham, Surrey, a village that was hugely famous for its massif annual 5<sup>th</sup> of November celebration.   It was the blue print used so successfully there that Wilf brought to Lacey Green.

A large bonfire was built in a very short time for security reasons as it wasn’t unusual for bonfires to mysteriously catch light prior to the actual day.   It was located in the field behind the village hall. The material collected by tractor, trailer, youth club members and willing helpers from around the village.

FLAMING TORCH PARADE

A parade, made up of the youth club members and probably a few responsible adults started at the Whip.   Led by a tractor and trailer carrying the Guy, the procession, most carrying flaming torches, which had been made by Wilf using green sticks with sacking wrapped around one end, held in place with wire then dipped in old engine oil.  The parade wound its way down through the village, in those days it was possible to get a road closure for a village function, indeed the local policeman was always in attendance along with one or two St Johns ambulance volunteers.

THE GUY & FIREWORKS

The guy stuffed with the usual filling and several Crow Scarers (these were very loud agricultural bangers used to frighten birds etc off the crops) was placed atop the bonfire and the torches thrown by the parade members onto the fire.   Once fully alight there was an excellent fireworks display set off by more youth club members and helpers.   This was of course in the days before firework specialists were employed.

HOT DOGS & BAKED POTATOES

All the usual catering was available, hot dogs, baked potatoes coffee tea etc again organised by the youth club members, parents and helpers.{{Person
|Forename=Wilfred & Irene
|Surname=Sanders
|PositionsHeld=Assistant Cowman & G.F.W
}}