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.

Clem Brown, a journalist who lived for a while in Lacey Green, met Bill and Madeline and sent the following report to Hallmark :-

Hallmark devotees will have seen Bill Cleaver's weather notes, a carry-over from an extensive "Met" career that led him into many adventures. He was attracted to the subject early in WW2 and joined the Met Office in 1941, with eventual retirement in 1980. Widespread travel resulted and Bill can list 52 ports of call and other stopping-off places. He mentioned Libya, Egypt, South Africa, Germany, and a variety of postings with the Navy, the Army and the RAF. A keen Rugby football player, he has taken the field in places as diverse as Tripoli, Alexandria and Stornaway.

After his first tour in Germany, Bill worked at the RAF Navigational School in Suffolk, went back to Germany for a while, and was then offered a post at Strike Command here at Walters Ash. He and Madeline were pleased at the prospect, having been impressed by the Bucks countryside. Hence the choice fell on Lacey Green, a move that has never been regretted.

Bill was born in Rugby, as his accent suggests, and Madeline comes from Birmingham. They married in 1958 and have two sons Roland and Jeffrey. Bill was at Birmingham for a while in the 50's and Madeline was secretary/PA to the sales manager of an engineering company there. They had musical interests in common and have since become strong supporters of Lacey Green Singers. Madeline's experience of singing and piano goes back to the age of eight, and she achieved her L.L.C.M. in her early 20's.

Local activities have claimed the Cleavers' interest for many years. Bill was a founder member of Lacey Green Singers, formerly the Community Choir, as well as Lacey Green Productions and the Horticultural Society (he has two allotments to cultivate).

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. (put 'charity' into Search for similar people & events)

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.