BURLEY VILLAGE MAGAZINE - Articles from 1978
January P11 THE PLANTING OF THE SILVER JUBILEE TREES
On Tuesday afternoon, 6th December, 1977, three of the oak trees were planted, on the south side of the Cricket Ground, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of H.M. the Queen.
What an afternoon that was, December at its worst, damp, dreary and dismal! Many were the umbrellas in use, and to see the school children, all wrapped up and only their faces showing, progressing from the school across the sodden turf in line ahead, completed a picture that could have been painted by Lowry. Dashes of red from the children’s clothing made the only relief in the general greyness, the belt of hollies could have been the terraced houses and the towering beeches behind, the distant factories. Even the dog was there, perforce on lead, and with drooping tail. He, no doubt, thought “What a crowd of idiots, planting trees on a day like this!” He would have been wrong. First of all, a goodly crowd had collected, and that must have been gratifying to the Jubilee Committee, for it had had but a few days in which to arrange the ceremony. It was a happy crowd too, for we had come to pay our last tribute of this Silver Jubilee year to Her Majesty.
Mr. Alfred Hutchings, Chairman of both the Jubilee Committee and the Parish Council, told us briefly how the idea of planting the trees came into being and how the trees had been given by the various organisations of the village including the Jubilee Committee; he thanked the Forestry Commission for its co-operation and then gave the names of those representatives who would actually take part in the planting ceremony.
Then we heard the children’s voices, clear and true; it was Rachel Cuerden and Laura Middleton each reciting a verse from “The Song of the Trees”. Our Vicar, the Rev. Norman Jones followed, and conducted a short service specially prepared for the occasion, after which came the planting ceremony. First to take part was Mrs. Kate Holman, representing the Over 70’s Club, coming 93 she is and handled the spade like a youngster, then Miss Carey-Morgan for the Village Show, and how fitting that she should have been chosen to help in the planting of a tree. The Vicar took part on behalf of us all, as did Miss Hardcastle, then came Mrs. Bedford (Red Cross), Mr. O’Riordan (British Legion), Mrs. Cowell-Parker (Burley W.I.), Sir Clifford Dove (Village Protection Society) and Miss Mandy Hose our Jubilee Queen for the Jubilee Committee. One tree was planted specially for the children of the village, and taking part in this were Rachel Cuerden and Caroline Rowley from the Primary School, Jill Norcott and Christopher Rowley from the Pre-School Play Group and Laura Middleton and Claire Stevens from the Lucy Hill School, and how pleased we all were to see the children from all the schools at the ceremony. The planting completed, our Vicar offered up a prayer and then we soared into the National Anthem with great fervour.
The remaining six oak trees were planted within days of the ceremony by the Forestry Commission, and there they all are now, each strapped up and safe in its own little cage, all ship-shape and Forestry fashion.
Those marvellous men, so soon forgotten, who had the vision, and the will, to clear that wilderness of trees and gorse, and of heather and bracken, to make that lovely arena, were they present at the ceremony? Maybe; it is nice to imagine so, and also that in years to come, the glade of oak trees will give shade on a summer afternoon when the bat is hitting the ball, and the boys of the village will be watching from the branches high up.
What an afternoon that was, December at its worst, damp, dreary and dismal! Many were the umbrellas in use, and to see the school children, all wrapped up and only their faces showing, progressing from the school across the sodden turf in line ahead, completed a picture that could have been painted by Lowry. Dashes of red from the children’s clothing made the only relief in the general greyness, the belt of hollies could have been the terraced houses and the towering beeches behind, the distant factories. Even the dog was there, perforce on lead, and with drooping tail. He, no doubt, thought “What a crowd of idiots, planting trees on a day like this!” He would have been wrong. First of all, a goodly crowd had collected, and that must have been gratifying to the Jubilee Committee, for it had had but a few days in which to arrange the ceremony. It was a happy crowd too, for we had come to pay our last tribute of this Silver Jubilee year to Her Majesty.
Mr. Alfred Hutchings, Chairman of both the Jubilee Committee and the Parish Council, told us briefly how the idea of planting the trees came into being and how the trees had been given by the various organisations of the village including the Jubilee Committee; he thanked the Forestry Commission for its co-operation and then gave the names of those representatives who would actually take part in the planting ceremony.
Then we heard the children’s voices, clear and true; it was Rachel Cuerden and Laura Middleton each reciting a verse from “The Song of the Trees”. Our Vicar, the Rev. Norman Jones followed, and conducted a short service specially prepared for the occasion, after which came the planting ceremony. First to take part was Mrs. Kate Holman, representing the Over 70’s Club, coming 93 she is and handled the spade like a youngster, then Miss Carey-Morgan for the Village Show, and how fitting that she should have been chosen to help in the planting of a tree. The Vicar took part on behalf of us all, as did Miss Hardcastle, then came Mrs. Bedford (Red Cross), Mr. O’Riordan (British Legion), Mrs. Cowell-Parker (Burley W.I.), Sir Clifford Dove (Village Protection Society) and Miss Mandy Hose our Jubilee Queen for the Jubilee Committee. One tree was planted specially for the children of the village, and taking part in this were Rachel Cuerden and Caroline Rowley from the Primary School, Jill Norcott and Christopher Rowley from the Pre-School Play Group and Laura Middleton and Claire Stevens from the Lucy Hill School, and how pleased we all were to see the children from all the schools at the ceremony. The planting completed, our Vicar offered up a prayer and then we soared into the National Anthem with great fervour.
The remaining six oak trees were planted within days of the ceremony by the Forestry Commission, and there they all are now, each strapped up and safe in its own little cage, all ship-shape and Forestry fashion.
Those marvellous men, so soon forgotten, who had the vision, and the will, to clear that wilderness of trees and gorse, and of heather and bracken, to make that lovely arena, were they present at the ceremony? Maybe; it is nice to imagine so, and also that in years to come, the glade of oak trees will give shade on a summer afternoon when the bat is hitting the ball, and the boys of the village will be watching from the branches high up.
G.L.
January P16 THE COVER FOR THE MAGAZINE
As the picture of our Church on the cover is now 25 years old it is rather out of date and misleading, so the Vicar has accepted the offer of a new block to mark Jubilee Year. He has chosen this view which shows that the long-awaited Church Room has now been built.
Our local artist, Mrs. Collier, has kindly drawn the picture, as she did for the cover of the Old Burley Parish Magazine of 1938-40.
Our local artist, Mrs. Collier, has kindly drawn the picture, as she did for the cover of the Old Burley Parish Magazine of 1938-40.
May P4 LETTER FROM A READER OF THE VILLAGE MAGAZINE
What an invaluable feature of our community life this Village Magazine has become! How we seize upon it each month and read it from cover to cover, enter the dates of events in our diaries and enjoy the articles and reports. Visitors to Burley are impressed, and often a little envious.
All this is due in no small measure to the devoted work of Mr. George Lawford. As Joint Editor with the vicar, he has been for six years the unfailing Power House behind the scenes. We would offer him our warmest thanks for all his time and care.
We are most fortunate in that Mr. John Clarke has agreed to take over from him – no mean task as the Vicar will be leaving us so soon. We wish him well.
My purpose now, however, is simply to say, on behalf of us all,
Thank you George.
All this is due in no small measure to the devoted work of Mr. George Lawford. As Joint Editor with the vicar, he has been for six years the unfailing Power House behind the scenes. We would offer him our warmest thanks for all his time and care.
We are most fortunate in that Mr. John Clarke has agreed to take over from him – no mean task as the Vicar will be leaving us so soon. We wish him well.
My purpose now, however, is simply to say, on behalf of us all,
Thank you George.
K.G.H.
August P5 MRS. MURIEL HOMAN – 1885-1978
In 1915, during the early days of the First World War, a remarkable lady came to live in Burley. This however was not the beginning of her long association with our village, for ever since 1902 she had visited here with her architect father Edward Hewetson, who designed Forest Garden for his friend Lady Baker, with whom he and his daughter would stay, travelling from their home in the South of France. He also helped to design and layout the Burley Golf Course.
Muriel, as a young lady in her teens took part in 1904, in a famous cricket match, described by Miss Hardcastle in her book “Records of Burley”. It was played on Mill Lawn between the ladies and gentlemen of Burley. The gentlemen playing left-handed and using broomsticks instead of bats!
In 1912 Muriel married Charles Edward Homan, a Captain in the Glen Line, who was later honoured by being made an Elder Brother of trinity House. It was when he joined the R.N.R. at the outbreak of war that her dream was fulfilled and she came to settle in Burley, and here she raised her four children, two daughters and two sons, virtually single-handed, as her husband was so often away at sea, and thereafter died at the tragically early age of 53. Their eldest daughter Betty, married Edward Shackleton (son of the explorer) who when he became a life peer, took the title “Lord Shackleton of Burley”.
Muriel died peacefully on May 8th, in her 93rd year in The home for the Elderly in Brockenhurst where she had lived for the past nine years. During these latter years her mind was still wonderfully alert and she took a keen interest in all that went on in Burley. Her daughter Joan faithfully drove her over to village functions, where she was always surrounded by old friends. Until her last year she also swam regularly each summer in Mrs. Peggie Spencer’s pool at Lucy Hill and thoroughly enjoyed it.
One of the letters received by her daughters after her death, said “Her life was woven into the very fabric of Burley” and this is so true. Her energy was amazing! Here are just a few of her ploys:- She was an active member of the Burley red Cross, the W.V.S. the Church Choir and the Mother’s Union. She instigated working parties for the mending of household linen at Avon Tyrel and for the village Christmas Bazaar. She served for many years on the W.I. Committee and was a founder member of Burley Golf Club. She organised countless Bazaars and Jumble Sales for a variety of worthy causes, but her special charity was the Missions to seamen for which she worked tirelessly. She also packed and sent a hamper each Christmas to the men of St. Govan Lightship, containing handknitted socks and gloves, tobacco, books and other good things.
Needless to say her friendly presence and willing spirit are greatly missed by those who knew and loved her for so long, not less the ready twinkle and sense of fun which were rarely lacking.
We send our affectionate sympathy to her family and remember with gratitude Muriel’s long and generous service to the village she loved.
Muriel, as a young lady in her teens took part in 1904, in a famous cricket match, described by Miss Hardcastle in her book “Records of Burley”. It was played on Mill Lawn between the ladies and gentlemen of Burley. The gentlemen playing left-handed and using broomsticks instead of bats!
In 1912 Muriel married Charles Edward Homan, a Captain in the Glen Line, who was later honoured by being made an Elder Brother of trinity House. It was when he joined the R.N.R. at the outbreak of war that her dream was fulfilled and she came to settle in Burley, and here she raised her four children, two daughters and two sons, virtually single-handed, as her husband was so often away at sea, and thereafter died at the tragically early age of 53. Their eldest daughter Betty, married Edward Shackleton (son of the explorer) who when he became a life peer, took the title “Lord Shackleton of Burley”.
Muriel died peacefully on May 8th, in her 93rd year in The home for the Elderly in Brockenhurst where she had lived for the past nine years. During these latter years her mind was still wonderfully alert and she took a keen interest in all that went on in Burley. Her daughter Joan faithfully drove her over to village functions, where she was always surrounded by old friends. Until her last year she also swam regularly each summer in Mrs. Peggie Spencer’s pool at Lucy Hill and thoroughly enjoyed it.
One of the letters received by her daughters after her death, said “Her life was woven into the very fabric of Burley” and this is so true. Her energy was amazing! Here are just a few of her ploys:- She was an active member of the Burley red Cross, the W.V.S. the Church Choir and the Mother’s Union. She instigated working parties for the mending of household linen at Avon Tyrel and for the village Christmas Bazaar. She served for many years on the W.I. Committee and was a founder member of Burley Golf Club. She organised countless Bazaars and Jumble Sales for a variety of worthy causes, but her special charity was the Missions to seamen for which she worked tirelessly. She also packed and sent a hamper each Christmas to the men of St. Govan Lightship, containing handknitted socks and gloves, tobacco, books and other good things.
Needless to say her friendly presence and willing spirit are greatly missed by those who knew and loved her for so long, not less the ready twinkle and sense of fun which were rarely lacking.
We send our affectionate sympathy to her family and remember with gratitude Muriel’s long and generous service to the village she loved.
K.G.H.