John Taylor 1927 - 2002

John died peacefully at Bedford Hospital on 23 December 2002, he was 76 years old. The funeral service was held at Norse Road Crematorium, Bedford. On leaving the Navy, John attended college to train as a PE and Sports teacher. He taught PE at two Bedfordshire schools and Luton Technical College as head of the PE department. He became Director at Bisham Abbey for 5 years after which Regional Officer for Southern Sports Council and finally in Bedfordshire as senior Regional Officer for the Eastern Sports Council.  In the past John played cricket for several clubs including Bedford and rugby for several clubs including Bedford Rugby Club where he had a life time involvement. He became well known in the parish for his encouragement of sport and for his involvement with Pinchmill Players Theatre where many of us will remember him as house manager. John leaves a widow and a son.

George Bruce Galliver  1924 - 2002
George was born in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales and attended Aberystwyth University for 6 years where he received a doctorate. He worked for Unilever, firstly at Port Sunlight and then locally at Colworth where he became deputy director. After retiring, he started a recruitment business to help young graduates when leaving university. George married Dorothy in 1949 and they had three daughters. They lived in Felmersham for many years, firstly at The Old Stables and then Tydfil, a house they had specially designed for them. Three years ago they moved to Bedford. Both Dorothy and George supported St Johns Hospice and Dorothy organised fund raising events for St Johns in the parish. George was at one time a Felmersham parish councillor. The family worship at Priory Methodist church, Bedford where George was actively involved. The funeral service was held at St Mary's church on 29 November 2002. The president was the Revd. Jim Gorringe and an address given by Revd. Bill Davis, both Methodist ministers and friends of the family.

Margaret Alleway  1926 - 2002
Margaret was born in January, 1926 in the North of England, as Margaret Aris. She remained there until she started her training as a nurse at Sevenoaks and Connaught Hospitals. In those wartime days, pre N.H.S, the life was tough. At some stage, Margaret contracted tuberculosis, and had an operation and time off sick. This may have sparked her interest in Chest Care, as she worked at the King Edward VII hospital at Midhurst, and as Chest Theatre Sister at Peppard Hospital, near Reading, often returning to visit friends at the latter. Later she worked at Arlesey Hospital, which was a branch of the London Chest Hospital. Finally, Margaret came to Bedford to run the Chest Clinic at Bedford Hospital, North Wing, working with Dr Neil Wynn-Williams, Dr John Baylis and Dr W. Riding. She worked with quiet efficiency, and her skills were much respected. During her time there, tuberculosis decreased in frequency and instead lung cancer and heart problems proliferated.
In the early 1960’s, she met Bertie Alleway, and they married, and moved out to Felmersham when the Trinity Close bungalows were built 1964. Bertie worked at the County Hall, and Margaret continued at North Wing till their retirement. The marriage was a very happy one. Their chief mutual interest was black-and-white photography, and they had a little dark room. Unfortunately their joint happy retirement did not last long - on holiday in Austria in 1987, Bertie collapsed and died of a dissecting aneurysm. Margaret was devastated, but bravely picked up the reins, and made a new life for herself, She worked in the Save the Children shop in Bedford regularly joined the W. I, and was a prime worker at Church Coffee mornings. Ever generous with time, money, ,and thoughts, she would make cakes, run the raffle and participate fully in anything. She enjoyed concerts, her watercolours were exquisite - many of us have superb hand painted Christmas cards. She also helped in Community Care, when this was set up. She was a faithful Communicant at St Mary’s. Margaret had her share of poor health latterly, breaking her ankle 4 years a go, an operation 2 years ago. She died from secondary cancer after a brief illness conducted with her usual humour and determination, on Oct 1 7th, 2002. We shall all miss her. Finally, I will always remember how she called so many of her friends, “my dear.” It was never meant in a superficial or patronising manner — she always made me feel I was dear to her. Margaret was a private person but so open in her love for others. What a privilege it was for us all to have known her.  Mary Birks

Win Hawken  1910 - 2002
Win passed away on 22 July at Sharnbrook House, aged 92.  She will be sadly missed by all her friends at the residential home, her daughter Di, son-in-law Pete and two treasured grandchildren – Jeremy & Tamsyn.   She is now at peace with her late husband John.  
Win lived in West  Looe, Cornwall,  until 1964 when she moved with John  to Liskeard and then in 1981  moved to Bedfordshire, where she has had 20 happy years with her immediate family.   Her husband John, died in 1992 and since then Win has enjoyed the company of local pensioner groups.  In 2000 she moved to Sharnbrook House and made friends with all the  residents and staff – who describe her as a great character, always interested in what was going on around her and never without a smile or a “thank-you”.  Her health began to fail her in the last two months of her life and whilst she knew those around her,  she steadily became weaker. 

Emily Dodd   1916 - 2002
This month we say farewell to Emily Dodd (nee Marsh) our neighbour of East Cottage, Felmersham who died on 1^st June 2002. Born in Woolaston, Northamptonshire on 4 November 1916, Emily was one of six children. The only boy: George also lived in Grange Road, Felmersham. Emily first moved to Felmersham in 1931, the same day that Odell Castle burnt down. Her father was a shepherd for Jack Hensman and she married her late husband Harry when he was de-mobbed after the war. Harry and Emily both loved their garden, which was always a blaze of colour until Harry died and Emily became housebound. Although she could not get out and about during the latter part of her life, she stayed up to date with village events and was well supported by local people including Sylvia and Larry Wilson. She will be greatly missed and those who knew her will long remember her calling everyone that called ‘my duck’. She leaves one sister: Kathleen Barker, who lives in Clapham.    Joan Ure