Madge, a journalist who once interviewed Margaret Thatcher and later helped establish Farnham in Bloom, and Jean, a devoted town journalist, teacher and historian, were recognised posthumously in two separate ceremonies earlier this month led by the Mayor of Farnham, Mike Hodge.
Their names now add to other great names of Farnham’s past remembered on the esteemed wall, ranging from 19th century social reformer William Cobbett to Britain’s first Formula 1 world champion Mike Hawthorn and Rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson.
Paying tribute to Madge, who died aged 89 in March, Mr Hodge said: “We are very proud of Farnham in Bloom and the tremendous commitment made by all our volunteers. This is, I think, the lasting legacy of Madge Green who was the driving force behind the Farnham in Bloom volunteers for so many years.
“Members of the town council outside workforce team have fond memories of Madge and remember her as being very caring and passionate about Farnham.
“She has a reputation for being determined and for getting things done. Even after she stepped down from Farnham in Bloom, she was always very supportive and ready to offer advice. Her wisdom and knowledge will be missed but not forgotten by the Farnham in Bloom team.”
Dozens of Farnham in Bloom volunteers, including many of Madge’s original band of ladies, watched the plaque unveiling in South Street on September 1, followed by a reception at the town council chamber.
They were also joined by South and South East in Bloom judge Peter Holman, who said of his long-time sparring partner: “Judging Farnham in Bloom was my first ever assignment when I joined South East in Bloom in the late 1990s, and I can remember instead of being the judge in charge of the whole event, how crestfallen I was to discover in about two minutes flat that I really was the junior!
“Madge reminded me in no uncertain terms why I was here and what I was supposed to do, which didn’t endear her to me . But on a number of other visits it became clear that any township or village needs a driving force; a person who is able to not only take a vision of how things were to be, but is prepared to roll up their sleeves to actually make the difference.
“Madge has left a legacy which probably won’t be bettered anywhere across our region in terms of what she achieved for Farnham. Without doubt she was a very very special lady, and a lady who is sadly missed.”
The second ceremony, last Thursday was attended by four generations of Jean Parratt’s family, ranging from her husband Ted and sisters Margaret and Bernie to great-grandson Theodore, alongside numerous friends and acquaintances.
It follows Jean’s death, aged 81, last October having devoted a lifetime to studying Farnham’s proud history and telling the stories of its people as a teacher, historian, researcher, journalist, author, raconteur, and a loving mother, wife and grandmother.
A mine of local information, Jean wrote a number of illustrated books and was a reporter and researcher for the monthly newspaper The Farnham Diary, edited by her husband Ted, from 2004 to 2015.
She was also made an MBE in 2004 for ‘Services to the Community of Farnham’, characteristically joking that her MBE stood for a Member of Britain’s Eccentrics.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Hodge said: “Jean Parratt MBE contributed so much to the life of Farnham, and had an amazing knowledge of things that make Farnham what it is today - earning the nickname The Oracle for her extensive insight and understanding of Farnham and its people.
“Jean achieved so much but was always self-effacing; underplaying her great qualities of humanity, understanding and tolerance concerning her fellow human beings. She will be remembered by all of those who have benefited from her numerous talents, cultural interactions and friendships, but especially by Ted and her surviving children Wendy and Mark.
“As a pillar of the community and a teacher, historian, researcher, journalist, author and raconteur, Jean is truly deserving of a place on the Famous Names of Farnham Wall and has left us a great legacy.”
Speaking to The Herald, Jean’s husband and long-time editor and colleague Ted added his wife had a “great love for Farnham” and made a “tangible contribution” to the town, particularly through her books which were full of intricate insights into Farnham people.
He added Jean would have been deeply embarrassed had she still been alive to witness the plaque unveiling, such was her modesty, and that the two lasting principles of her career were of originality and relevance to the town.
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