1911-2009
Written by Joy Atkins
Coral arrived with her mother in Chenies from Norfolk in the 1920’s, her father having left them. They came to live with her grandparents, the Chilton’s, who ran the Plough Inn at number 52 Chenies. Her Mother went to work for Lady Russell at the Rectory, which eventually became Chenies House, and there was a distant connection with the Worrell family who ran the Iron Foundry, where Miss Ruston lived (number 41).
Bill, my husband, told me she had a very nice boyfriend for a while. This was stopped, because he was a Policeman and they hoped for something better. Sadly, she never met anyone else. She had learnt to play the piano but was not allowed to work in case this spoilt her hands. Later in life she looked after the garden beautifully, when her grandfather’s health failed, and took on an allotment where the garden centre is now.
She helped to nurse her grandfather until he died, then her mother’s sister came to live with them. Coral in turn nursed her grandmother, her mother and her aunt until their deaths. The grave of her parents is on the right of the entrance to St Michael’s Church, a little way down on the wall side.
Coral continued to live in the cottage, even after the Estate was sold in 1954 and her landlord changed. All three cottages were the last to have earth toilets down the garden but her new landlord had a flush toilet installed just outside the back door.
Coral’s health gradually began to slow down and a very good neighbour Mrs Jones from the New Cottages called in and helped her. She then had to have one of her hips replaced but was recovering well with the support of Jackie and Rozzie Jones who had taken over after the loss of their mother. One day she answered her door and a male pushed in, and was threatening her. She managed to drive him out with her stick and called the Police. The Police told her she must have more security and fitted bolts at the top and bottom of the doors. This meant the carers could not get in until Coral had pulled the bolts. One day she reached down to do the bottom one and fell over and fractured her shoulder.
She spent some time in a nursing home and eventually agreed to give up the cottage. She moved into a warden flat at Stephen’s House in Old Amersham where she settled quite well after a time. Rozzie and Jackie continued to visit.
Coral’s health began to fail more and she spent a spell in the Geriatric Department in Amersham Hospital. Finally she was moved to the Croft Nursing Home in Top Amersham where she settled happily and was very well cared for.
Some years ago, when I was a Churchwarden at Chenies, I was approached by someone over Sarratt way, asking if she could look through the burial register. She asked if there was someone in the village of a good age and mentioned several names which I had heard Coral use in conversation. The person eventually came to the conclusion that Coral might be connected with her family and would I please ask Coral if she could call and see her. This I did, but even with some encouragement, she refused, saying it was part of the family they did not talk to. I always felt it was sad.