Gordon & Margaret Gray

Reporting by Joan West.

February 2024. I had known Gordon and Margaret Gray and their son Oliver for a long time but actually didn't know a lot about them.

I knew that Oliver had become an electrician and had his own business, which I relied on for all help electric.

I knew that Margaret had organised a Flower and Wedding Dress exhibition for The Local History Group - at which time she joined the group and helped with other exhibitions, but did not do 'research'.

I just felt there was more to know about Margaret, but she protested that she was not interesting.

With my 'Researcher's Hat' on, I asked Margaret if she would come for a coffee and tell me more. Margaret, I now realise, is one of those people who doesn't know how to say "No" when asked to help.

1st Question. "Why did you and Gordon come to Lacey Green?"

1982/3. Living in Flackwell Heath on a noisy road, Gordon hoped to move to a house on a quieter road. They found the perfect place in Kiln Lane, Lacey Green. It was at that time just the foundations of a house, on the site of Apple Tree Cottage, which had been lived in by Mr & Mrs Adams.

2nd Question. Knowing 'furniture' was his line "Where did Gordon work?"

Gordon ran his own furniture factory 'G.M. Gray Furniture' in Copyground Lane, High Wycombe, making reproduction furniture.

3rd Question. I was told a Margaret Gray was involved with the cub scouts. Was that you?

Yes it was. Margaret had no intention of helping the cubs. However when an ultimatum was put that unless a couple of people stepped up the group would close, Margaret, bearing in mind that Oliver was one of the cubs, stepped up, together with a friend.

4th Question (bearing Margaret is currently a Churchwarden for Lacey Green Church). When did you first get involved with the Church?

When Peter Hale was Vicar of Lacey Green Margaret became the Flower Arranger. There was no longer a rota of arrangers, but just one - Margaret.

5th Question.