FULMER NEWSLETTER - Fulmer Village

Lady Marian Laing
Lady Marian Laing left Gerrards Cross for her home in Scotland in November this
year. She will be missed by her many friends in Gerrards Cross and Fulmer.
She tells the story that their love of Fulmer began when a Christmas was spent in
Gerrards Cross and not in their home in Morayshire. The house in Scotland was
being refurbished, so they came to a Christmas Service in Fulmer church when
Rev. Bill Taylor was Rector. This began their regular support of Fulmer Church.
With her husband (the late Lord Hector Laing) and three sons, she moved to High
Meadows from Camp Road in Gerrards Cross in the early 60’s. When their sons
were still at school and all the family were at home the family of five often filled a
pew at Fulmer Church on a Sunday morning. Marian entered into village life in a
number of ways.
There was a monthly club for older village ladies (called Fulmer Evergreens) run
by Mrs Audrey Dufour and Marian soon become a regular helper. At its height
the club had some 40 members and all were kindly invited to High Meadows each
year for tea. This became a highlight of the club year even when it rained. Almost
as popular was the Christmas Party when Marian’s generosity was evident in the
parcels given out to members. The club’s success was due to the organiser and
helpers working well together. Marian Laing was a much valued member of that
team, being totally unflappable and willing to do any task made her help
invaluable.
Marian’s love of her garden was evident in many ways. Marian and Hector were
always very generous in their hospitality and a visit to High Meadows was always
an enjoyable occasion. It often included a guided tour of the beautiful garden,
with its wonderful collection of azaleas and rhododendrons. Much of the greenery
for decorating Fulmer Church came from High Meadows, as did armfuls of
daffodils and blossom at Easter. In earlier years Marian was an active member of
the flower arranging team. Her decoration of the church font for Harvest Festivals
was especially admired.
John Hedley (with help from Enid Marsh and others)