Miss Virginia Lyon
- 1997
Virginia moved from Lavant to Slindon in 1983 and she and
her mother set up home at Timbers in School Hill. After her
mother’s death two years later Virginia decided to take early
retirement in order to have more time to devote to her many
interests.
Virginia taught at Great Ballard for 19 years. Although her
main subject was English she was always willing to help out in
any department. She was someone who set high standards of
work and discipline for herself and for the children; years later
her pupils remember with affection and gratitude for the
example she set.
Virginia had been involved in the
development of The Weald and
Downland Museum from its early days.
She served on The Friends’ Committee
and later became its chairman, a
member of The Board and a Trustee.
She threw herself into working for the
museum with great enthusiasm and
was largely responsible for the many
shows and exhibitions – The Rare
Breeds Show was her particular ‘baby’.
Virginia enjoyed the theatre and music and had many friends in theatrical
circles. Many enjoyed the recitals of music and readings in which she took part
usually in aid of the museum or her other favourite charity the NSPCC. She
loved Chichester Theatre and was one of dozens of amateurs who took part in
Noel Coward’s Calvacade and with those involved in ‘The Tent’ productions’.
She paraded through Chichester in costume in The Sparshott play. She was a
delightful Fairy Godmother in The Slindon Pantomime. Literature played a
great part in her life. She was the founder of the village poetry group.
She took a full part in village life. She was a devout Christian and rarely
missed the 8.00 communion. She was in charge of the distribution of The
Magazine. She helped look after the churchyard and her own garden which
was often open for the benefit of others. She was a very kind and thoughtful
person. She had regular B. and B. visitors. She was an excellent cook and
dinner parties at Timbers were gastronomic occasions. She was a regular
helper at The Tamarisk centre in Littlehampton.
Virginia was a tower of strength to so many people and organisations. She was
a charming and generous person with a strong sense of duty and a delightful
sense of humour. A carved oak finger post and stone plaque were erected in
her memory and dedicated at rare Breeds Show.