Bill & Madeline Cleaver

SETTLED IN

Bill and Madeline Cleaver with their two sons, Roland and Jeffrey settled in Lacey Green in 1970.    “Settled” being the appropriate word, as they not only stayed here but actively participated in community life here for the rest of their lives.

The WEATHER & the POTTING SHED

Bill was a meteorologist for the RAF at Bomber Command, just within Lacey Green’s parish boundary.   He regularly wrote about the weather in Hallmark, the village magazine.     Perhaps less well known was the fact that he also regularly wrote a gardening page, which he signed “From the potting shed”, probably not wanting his name to be in the mag. too often.  

MADELINE

In her obituary Roland and Jeffrey wrote - - - -

FUND RAISING

Madeline may have been “just a housewife”, but her occupations were far from just that.   She helped to raise funds for the new Village Hall, finally built in year 2000; for Bucks Association for the Blind she sorted through piles of jumble, often trawling antiques fairs with items she felt should raise more money; she raised awareness and money for research into Raynauds disease which so badly affected our father; she joined the Women’s Institute; helped start, run and sing in St John’s Church Choir, Lacey Green Productions, and Lacey Green Singers.    She found time to succeed in nominating her good friend Madeline Forrester for the MBE, in recognition of her work with the blind.

UP WITH THE TIMES

Madeline kept up a voluminous correspondence with friends and family all over the world.    She embraced modern technology and became an enthusiastic e-mailer as her disabilities increasingly confined her to home.    She appreciated the invaluable help of many of her neighbours, such as Freda Dormer, Mary Lawrence and Helen Titchen.     She refused to move from her home, friends and community, keeping her spirits buoyant and her wit sharp as she managed with her two sticks and a lot of dogged determination.    She passed away in 2009.