Rita Probert

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1956 Rita Probert (Autobiography)

From Lacey Green History

Rita Probert tells of coming to live in Loosley Row

A PLOT IN LITTLE LANE

I was born in Ealing, West London, daughter of Wallington and May.   About 1954, my father bought a plot of land in Little Lane – about a third of an acre – for the princely sum of £250.      It was part of the garden of ‘Penryn’, the home of Clifford (always known as Fred) Ferris, his wife Nancy and their son Stan and daughter June.    Two older daughters Alma and Christine had by that time married and were living in Brighton.

THE VIEW

When my mother saw the view across to Lodge Hill, Wain Hill and beyond she told my father she’d be happy to live there even if it was only in a log cabin, because of the beautiful vista.

THE BUNGALOW

My father began building a small bungalow and we spent every weekend and Bank Holiday helping:  mother and I also had a hand in laying a few bricks when the footings were constructed – under father’s critical eye!

COLD

We eventually moved here in Easter of 1956, a particularly cold March and after our small, but cosy, flat in Ealing it was quite some time before we began to get used to the cold.   We all loved the countryside in Buckinghamshire, however, and quickly adapted to a new way of life.

KIND LOCALS

Local people, although somewhat suspicious at first because we were ‘Londoners’ and they thought we had come from Deptford with the new employees of Molins Machine Company at Saunderton, were very helpful. In particular, Alice Gomme, Rose Oakford, Mrs Kirby and Connie Baker brought us plant cuttings, bulbs etc., to start our garden, most of which are still thriving.    One resident did remark that we would have to live here for 50 years before being accepted as a local – but she was only joking......I think!    Mr and Mrs Ferris were also kind and helpful in our early days here.   I did get teased though and on one occasion  I’d picked some pretty white flowers in the wood beyond the Grubbin and later at home we wondered where the strong smell of onions was coming from.    They  were, in fact, wild garlic flowers.   When  Mr & Mrs Ferris  heard, they thought it hilarious.   So us ‘townies’ did have our leg pulled from time to time! click Rupert & Alice Gomme, Albert & Fanny Kirby and Fred & Connie Baker for more about Alice, Mrs Kirby and Connie.

A CLASS DIVIDE

In the 1950’s there was still a class divide.   At The Salmon, Loosley Row lived Richard & Rosemary Isdell-Carpenter. They, too, were kindly, but we ‘knew our place’ – they were upper class.   Their daughter Sally was one of the last Debutantes to be presented at Court.     They also had servants, which was very impressive.

THE 81st CLUB

Mrs Isdell-Carpenter started a sewing circle, then later thought it would be good to have a club for the older residents of Loosley Row & Lacey Green – thus The 81st Club as formed.   My mother became a helper and later, when elderly herself, a member.

DOG 'NIPPER'

My first job was at a builder’s office in Park Street, Princes Risborough – shorthand typing, bookkeeping and general ‘dog-body’ – all for £2 per week.    I also had to take the boss’s Corgi , ‘Bruno’ out for a walk during my lunch hour, but the wretched dog when back in the office, had a nasty habit of nipping my ankles.

MOLINS

I’d made friends with Sally Pearman who lived in Foundry Lane and she suggested getting an office job at Molins where she and her mother worked, which I did.   The starting pay was over £4 per week, free transport and the lure of a bonus each year.

HORSE RIDING & YOUNG CONSERVATIVES

I’d always loved horses and saved up to take riding lessons at Monica Smith’s Riding School at Saunderton.  Monica and her sister, Julia later suggested I joined the Young Conservatives and it was the best advice I could have been given,   More of a youth club, not political at all and everyone was very welcoming:  I made many new friends.     They held meetings in the winter at Grannies Pantry a small cafe then in the Market Square, Princes Risborough.   In the summer, it was theatre outings, trips on the Thames and stately homes.   We were also invited by an elderly couple residing in a very large house and garden at Whiteleaf to use their tennis court.   Their family had long left the nest and they wanted to hear the sound of young people playing tennis.   At the end of the afternoon they would call us into their impressive home for afternoon tea.  

LACEY GREE ENTERTAINMENT

In the early days we were introduced to many events –  all new to us.    One was the first Jumble Sale at Lacey Green Village Hall and later, an evening of local talent.   The Bernard Houghton, the vicar, and his wife were in the front row.   One particular act – two local brothers telling jokes became somewhat ‘blue’ and rather embarrassing.   The Vicar made several attempts to end the act, but without success, so the curtains on the stage were drawn across!     I remember the names of the brothers, but perhaps better not to divulge same.     It is believed they were ever so slightly inebriated!

P.S.

Although much has changed over the intervening years, it still remains a lovely village in which to live.

-

Rita was one of the first five writers and researchers of the Local History Group of Lacey Green and Loosley Row.

RROFILE. Taken from the Local History Website.

Rita was born in Ealing, West London and moved to Buckinghamshire with her parents in 1956. They were jokingly told then that 50 years would have to expire before being accepted as 'locals': that 'apprenticeship' has now been served!

OCCUPATION AND INTERESTS. From schooldays in London, Rita always had a very keen interest in history, which eventually progressed to genealogy. With more spare time on retirement after 25 years as secretary for the Thames Valley Police at Aylesbury, family history became almost a full-time occupation.

LOCAL HISTORY. Since being invited to join the Lacey Green History Group, this has been further extended to include local history.

RITA enjoys living in Buckinghamshire, the countryside in general and is also a member of the local walking club.

Click the following for research by Rita: -

1890 Auction of 10 Cottages. Action sale of cottages and land, mostly in Loosley Row.

1900 A Spectacular Welcome. John Forrest's son, home from Boer War. Rita researched.

1956 Rita Probert (Autobiography) Rita talks of and her early days in Loosley Row.

Hamlet of Coombs Research by Rita

The Grubbin Research by Rita

Sir George Stephen. Research by Rita

1939 Commuting by Plane from Loosley Row Rita comments

1879 Ward versus Ward. Rita researched full report.

1838 Rioting in Lacey Green. Rita researched

1940 Dance at Lacey Green for Red Cross Rita researched

1940 Air Raid Lectures Rita researched

1940 Spitfire Fund Fete in Lacey Green Rita researched

1944 Stanley Holloway Stars in Lacey Green Concert Rita researched

Loosley Dene, Loosley Row. Joint research by Rita

NOTE Rita is mentioned in the biography of Dennis Claydon