RIP Gladys Horne

[lockcottage]

Just to let you all know, Gladys Horne passed away in Hemel Hempstead aged 80 years on Sunday 18th November, she is survived by her husband Sam and 2 sons, Gladys was a boatwoman most of her working life on boats including the Ayr & Aynho and Warbler & Wagtail. She and Sam settled in Berkhamsted in 1966 where Sam was the lock keeper before his retirement. She was an exemplary wife and mother and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

[alan_fincher]

That is terribly sad.

 

My condolences to Sam and the family.

 

Thank you for letting us know.

 

Alan

 

(A boater and resident of the town).

[lockcottage]

That is terribly sad.

 

My condolences to Sam and the family.

 

Thank you for letting us know.

 

Alan

 

(A boater and resident of the town).

 

Alan,

Thank you for your condolences, I will pass them on to Sam and his family.

[David Schweizer]

Which Lock did they live at? Was it this one?

 

 

If so, I remember them well back in the 1960's. It was always immaculate, the grass was cut like a bowling green, and woe betide any boatman who tramped across it in their great big boots.

Edited November 23, 2012 by David Schweizer

[lockcottage]

Which Lock did they live at? Was it this one?

 

 

If so, I remember them well back in the 1960's. It was always immaculate, the grass was cut like a bowling green, and woe betide any boatman who tramped across it in their great big boots.

 

David,

Yes it is that one, Sam still lives there.

[alan_fincher]

Which Lock did they live at? Was it this one?

 

 

If so, I remember them well back in the 1960's. It was always immaculate, the grass was cut like a bowling green, and woe betide any boatman who tramped across it in their great big boots.

Yes,

 

Raven's Lane lock has been more or less synonymous with the Horne's for all the time I have known the GU.

 

Sam indeed kept a very tidy lock with immaculate gardens for many years, and I feel sure I am right in remembering it winning the "best kept lock" for the area on multiple occasions.

 

He was less keen though when the ramshackle Horse Boat operation operated from just near there, and the Shire horses were eating all his best flowers. I remember he was given the task of towing the Horse Barge trip boat South when it was forced to cease trading, and I don't think I have ever seen someone look happier, or a boat being more roughly treated!

 

As the OP says, Gladys and Sam were very much from a working boat background, and their story is told in the Euan Corrie book "Tales from the inland waterways".

[BargeeSpud]

I remember this lady, she always had a chat whenever we locked through if she was tending her little garden lockside.

 

Great shame, lovely lady.

[Tonka]

Please pass our codolances on aswell. Thats from the Green and Turner families

[mykaskin]

Yes, a lovely lady, and we chatted about Victoria (known as Linda to her) a couple of times as I went through. More past passing...

 

Mike

[lockcottage]

A heatfelt thank you to everyone for your condolences, they will be passed on to Sam and his family.

[Tonka]

I am beginning to think that you are the lady who wrote to us and I assume married to Robert

[lockcottage]

I am beginning to think that you are the lady who wrote to us and I assume married to Robert

Tonka,

I am married to Barry who is the eldest son.

Lockcottage

[c c]

Is this Gladys?

 

I found this thread because I was looking for info on the boat AYNHO and this CWDF thread seems to be the only place on the interweb that mentions it. Was it cut up at some stage?

Edited to add that this photo is on the wall in Coventry Hospital which sparked my interest in the boats

Edited September 12, 2013 by canalchef

[Tim Lewis]

Is this Gladys?

 

I found this thread because I was looking for info on the boat AYNHO and this CWDF thread seems to be the only place on the interweb that mentions it. Was it cut up at some stage?

Edited to add that this photo is on the wall in Coventry Hospital which sparked my interest in the boats

 

Aynho used to be the service boat at Limehouse Basin, don't know if it still is, it has been shortened.

 

Tim

[lockcottage]

Canalchef,

Yes, I can confirm that the woman in the photograph is Gladys.