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 nothing really to tell.

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. And is then completely modest about it all.

After prompting with a few leading questions Margaret revealed just how much she had done and is still doing.

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.

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

Margaret had no intention of helping the cub scouts. 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.

I knew she was a flower arranger at Lacey Green Church. She had been one for the Flower Festival in She had been on the rota of Flower Arrangers but when Peter Hale was one of The Vicars of St.John's Margaret became 'The Flower Arranger'. There was not going to be a rota of arrangers any more, but just one - Margaret.

5th Question. Just the Flower Arranger?.

Well, no, she did teach at the church Sunday School. In the Upper Room (the original gallery) starting about 1991. She did give up her work with the cubs at that time, she was working with the 'Beavers' then, (the young ones, both boys & girls).

6th Question. You sometimes used to go to the church in a green gown. Were you the church Verger then?

She was. From about 2002/3. Making sure everything was prepared and in place for special services such as weddings and funerals.

7th Question. Anything else with the church?

There is. She is now a Churchwarden.

8th Question. Did you join any other organisation?

I went to the afternoon W.I. once or twice, but quickly joined the Evening W.I. Now on the Committee, currently appointed with Daphne Williams to arrange the booking of speakers - a three year stint now in its last year.

9th Question. Any other little snippets I don't know about?

Just as she was leaving - Caning sprang to mind. Demonstrating chair caning at the school.

Summary. This cannot be summed up at this point. There is more to come from that last question I feel sure. I hope we can meet again soon.