Rita Probert

This item is listed in Social Snapshots 1900-1968 inc under date 1956

Rita Probert tells of coming to live in Loosley Row

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. click Fred & Nancy Ferris for more about them.

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.

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!

We eventually moved here at 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.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, they provided free transport and the lure of a bonus each year.

I’d always loved horses and saved up to take riding lessons at Monica Smith’s Riding School off the 4010 Road at Saunderton. Monica only charged 5/- per hour. She was very kind and gave us more than an hour. 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.  

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!

I eventually bought my own horse. She was a grey mare named Shelly. I was able to keep her in a field belonging to Richard Isdell-Carpenter at Loosley Row. I went riding alone or with various friends including Elizabeth Hunt who lived in Little Lane and also another girl who lived down Foundry Lane. Click Richard & Rosemary Isdell-Carpenter and Peter & Elizabeth Barnard for more about Elizabeth for

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

Rita with koala

2025. Rita spoke of her childhood

Rita's father Wallington Probert was born in LLanelly, Carmarthenshire in 1905. He died in 1968 aged 63 at Loosley Row.

Rita's mother May Probert, nee Welland, was born in 1910. She died in 1995 in Loosley Row

Rita was born in Ealing, West London in 1938. After attending junior school she attended Clarkes College, Ealing Broadway. There, as well as the usual lessons, from the age of 13 she started learnng typewriting, shorthand and book-keeping.

1995 Australia.front. Les and Rita Back l-r. Clara, Gladys, Florence, Dorothy

Rita moved with her parents to her current home in Loosley Row in 1956.

For a few years she worked in the drawing office of Molins at Saunderton. Then she went to the Bucks Constabulary as a secretary. After two years Bucks Police amalgamated with other forces to form Thames Valley Police.

Rita stayed on in various departments including C.I.D. (Criminal Investigation), and later became secretary to the Chief Superintendant.

She left when about 56 to look after her mother.

Her hobbies have been horse riding, history research, gardening, walking -

Diedre with Rita 'dressed for dinner'

Friends introduced her to various clubs, organisations etc. including - Young Farmers, Young Conservatives, The Red Cross, Buckinghamshire History Group, Aylesbury, The Art Group at Naphill, The Happy Wanderers walking group, and The Local History Group.

Rita visited relatives in Australia and New Zealand over the years.

The photo on the left shows Diedre, a cousin from Ealing, who travelled with Rita one trip. Her Australian hosts said they knew people dressed for dinner - so Rita did.

Granny's Attic Exhibtion 2022. From l-r Rosemary Mortham, Rita Probert and Margaret Gray

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 written by Rosemary Mortham

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 researched by Rita: -

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

click John & Eveline Forrest for report of A Spectacular Welcome in 1900 for their son, home from Boer War. Research by Rita

Coombs Research by Rita

The Grubbin Research by Rita

Sir George Stephen. Research by Rita

1879 Ward versus Ward. Rita researched full report.

1838 Rioting in Lacey Green. Rita researched

click WW2 for Rita's research. 1940 Dance for the Red Cross, Air Raid Lectures, and Spitfire Fund Fete, in Lacey Green Village Hall and in 1944 Stanley Holloway Concert.

Loosley Dene, Loosley Row. Joint research by Rita

NOTE Rita is mentioned in the biography of Dennis Claydon