Hazel Crisp (1929-2024)

Hazel Veronica Crisp was a long-term member of the Society but, although work took her away, she is very much part of the History of Tewkesbury – “she enjoyed a life well-lived with love in abundance”.  Having her funeral service  at the Holy Trinity Church, close to her roots, was so important to Hazel. She was married there in 1951, her daughter Raie was christened there, attended Sunday School and later attended the Sunday Evening services – for many years this Church had very much been at the heart of generations of the family.

Hazel was born at 4 Spring Gardens, once so close to this Church - although the houses have long since gone, the memories remain. Her father was killed in the Spanish Civil War, and she was raised by her grandparents, Harry and Jessie Stiff – her beloved ‘Mam and Dad’ and always referred to them as her mother and father. She recalled and wrote about a wonderful childhood in Tewkesbury in the 1930s, the joy of growing up in a close knit, loving family, memories of living in a market Town rich in community and friendship.

She attended the local schools in Trinity Walk and Oldbury Road, later going to the Abbey Girls School, Oldbury Road, with her childhood friend Pauline Gibbard [who died tragically in 1951] together they enjoyed happy times, walking and playing on the Ham, cycling all over the countryside including Red Marley, Bushley, Upton, and Cheltenham.  At the age of 13 Hazel’s mother arranged for her to attend Evening Classes after school, held at the Council School, Chance Street, studying Pitman’s Shorthand, Commerce and Typewriting, organized by the Headmaster at (2/6d [13p] a term!).

Image: Raie submitted this favourite with the Editor of Hazel & Spring Gardens, which shows its best feature. (R Crisp)

When Hazel was 13 years and 11 months, her mother accompanied her to the Labour Exchange in Old Sun Street. There she was offered a job at Ashchurch Army Camp – codenamed “G25”, as a trainee Civil Servant with further studying day release at the North Gloucestershire Technical College.  At only 14, Hazel started work at G25, joined by three other 14-year-old girls [then] Phyllis Jordan, Gwen Cull and Barbara Hudman, who were lifelong friends. In later years, she recounted the kindness of the American soldiers [GIs] who were surprised that girls so young were working - whereas their sisters and daughters of a similar age were still at school. She also remembered how the tempo of work changed rapidly, and they sensed that ‘something was about to happen’. Then one morning the Camp seemed silent … the Americans had left … for D-Day on 6 June 1944.

Hazel was transferred to the Ministry of Supply, although she later declined a transfer to London. Instead she moved to live with an Aunt in Derbyshire and worked in the finance Department of the Staveley Iron and Chemical Company. This was also a happy time but, after two years, she returned home to Tewkesbury permanently as her beloved mother,  Jessie, was ill.

On the day she returned to Tewkesbury and as she ‘walked along the Oldbury’ the first person she met was ‘her Tom’ as he was cycling along the road.Tom, having recently returned from India (RAF), got off his bicycle and they talked about the intervening period of their lives, culminating in a first date at the Sabrina Cinema. Tom and Hazel had known each other from Youth Club days.  In one play aged 14, Tom had acted the part of Hazel’s fiancé … little did they know then that later, after 1951, they would enjoy 67 happy years of marriage together!  They had many happy times walking in the countryside around Tewkesbury with their dear friends, attending the local dances together; these friendships lasted a lifetime and left wonderful memories of love and laughter.

After her return to Tewkesbury in 1950, Hazel worked at the National Coal Board, Stoke Orchard in Personnel and Finance, continuing her studies in Personnel Management, and Industrial Psychology. She recounted many happy memories of these days and the life-long friends she made there. In 1964 Hazel left work to await the arrival of her daughter Raie.  She relished motherhood and was such a wonderful, loving and loved mother – the heartbeat of the home.

In 1966 she was surprised to be contacted by the former Tewkesbury Borough Council and asked to call into the Office in modern Graham Court, Oldbury Road. Intrigued, she went … they had purchased a mechanised accounting machine and addressograph, planning to ‘automate’ the rating and financial system. As she had studied both ‘Burroughs National and Remington Machines’, she was asked if she would be interested in a position there. She was and she would  ‘natter’ about their Tewkesbury with her friends… there was often much laughter, and the hours flew by!

In 1975 Hazel moved to a new position as Deputy to the Principal Admin Officer at the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service HQ in Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, remaining there as Personnel Officer, until her retirement in 1990. The Fire Service and colleagues who again became dear friends held a special place in Hazel’s heart; she felt so privileged to work with such wonderful people.¹ Alongside her work, Hazel enjoyed many hobbies, art and writing. After her retirement in 1990, she wrote poetry about her life and the wonderful people here.She also illustrated the poems and collated them into small booklets to raise money for local charities, writing and illustrating these happy memories gave her so much pleasure. She also wrote some short stories (fiction) which were published and a couple broadcast on the radio. She also volunteered for several favourite charities.

Another passion was charity work, alongside her daughter Raieand husband Tom, she loved and rescued many animals and actively campaigned for change and compassion – her interest in environmental concerns being initiated in the 1950s and the difference she made continued from this time. The family home was home for humans and all creatures! ²

She also had pleasure seeing her brothers James (Jim) Stiff and step-brother John Phipps. Hazel loved Steve Venn, Raie’s partner, dearly as, like her Tom, he was also a keen sportsman and continues to compete in motorcycle trials.

Raie, therefore, remembers that Hazel had a full and happy life. She was a wonderful wife - loving, caring, kind and always supporting all of her family and putting others first. She was loved and cherished by Tom and Raie, filling their lives and home with love and happiness … and this is how she will be remembered, with love and joy.

Finally, the last words … written by Hazel for all at Trinity that day:

I have had a wonderful life, making many friends along the way, so many happy times, so much laughter.

To those still here to say goodbye –I wish you all good health and happiness always …

And to those waiting for me on the other side I will say … ‘pop the kettle on please’…we have lots to talk and smile about.  God bless you all.

 

¹    The Editor first met Hazel and Tom at their home in Gloucester, where they were supporting his colleague,                                  Ben Richards, who became Mayor of Gloucester.

²    The collection at her funeral was, inevitably, in favour of the RSPCA.