More
about Mabel ~
As soon as she was old enough, Mabel joined the church
choir and became a soprano soloist. She loved singing sacred
music and sang in the choir at Crystal Palace, Methodist
Central Hall, the Albert Hall and many other big churches
near her home. Her father died when she was only 17 and
this meant that
Mabel
helped her mother to look after her younger brothers
and sisters.
Mabel and her dear husband Les, came to Banstead in
1939 when war broke out. Colin (aged 5) and Mavis (aged
2) had also arrived
by this time. The family lived in Warren Road until
two bombs damaged the house (and put Mabel in Cane Hill
Hospital for a
while!) and they moved round the corner to Mabel’s present
home. Mabel and the children also
spent some time in Manchester during the war.
Mabel
says she loves Banstead with all its lovely trees and surrounding
countryside. Mabel
has always loved people and used to help out at the school
which her children attended - Nork School in Roundwood Way.
She has supported and helped the VASD (Voluntary Association
for the Surrey Disabled for many years. A
certificate hangs on the wall in her lounge recognising over
30 years service to Age Concern – work that
she still supports. Mabel is a great “knitter” – many
babies born to members of the Church Family have received a
full set
of jacket, trousers, mittens and booties. The latest set
of these was completed
just a few weeks ago.
Mabel has always loved music and playing
the piano. Until only a few years ago she would be off
every week to play
for “my
old ladies”. It didn't seem to occur to Mabel that
most of her old ladies were many years younger than her!
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