Audrey Lambert was born in Clarence Road, Stony Stratford in November 1928 - and now lives next door to the house where she was born! Audrey has had three books published depicting Stony Stratford and other areas of Milton Keynes. She is secretary of the St Mary and St Giles charity which bought a house on Galley Hill for use by a curate. It is rented out at present and the money from the rent is used to help church projects or projects at the St Mary and St Gile's school in Stony.
As a girl guide Audrey remembers decorating the altar of St Mary the Virgin for Easter, Whitsun, Harvest and Christmas. The girls would cycle to Whittlebury woods and collect flowers in their baskets. (Audio to
be added.)
During WWII Audrey recalls how
a neighbour in Clarence Road, Mr Hayward, was responsible for placing evacuees from London.
"He would start with about twelve children at the end of the street and gradually place them as he went along. I can remember looking out of the window saying 'Oh I do hope Mr Hayward will bring us one' But he never did because mother wouldn't have them." Audrey later worked as an office girl in the Hurricane wing shop at Wolverton Works during the war.
Above - this is Audrey (centre) helping to clean the St Mary and St Giles Church following the boxing day fire of 1964.

Audrey was on the cleaning rota for the church and all the cleaners were called en masse to clear up the fire damage. Audrey described the inside of the church as "black all over."