Alan Ryalls

Alan was born in Sheffield and at the age of seventeen moved to London where he began his career as a clerical assistant at the Post Office Savings Bank. He was 20 when he met Peggy and two years later they were married.

Towards the end of the war they were blessed with their first child Janet (1944) followed by Carolyn (1946), Steven (1948) and finally Paul.

Alan became a union official around this time in the Civil Service Clerical Association and ultimately the War Graves Commission.

He was a keen climber, cyclist and YHA member and also during the war became a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service. During a lot of this time he was editor of the camping club magazine. Thus then enabled him to move his career into professional editorships of travel magazines and to be a travel writer. These roles enable Alan and Peggy the opportunity to travel the world making many friends along the way. When Peggy retired form her vocation of being a headmistress they left London to move to Helmdon where they caused an immediate “stir” by building a Scandinavian wooden bungalow which was then clad in stone. This new building style drew a lot of interest within the community and they found themselves making many friends quickly.

Alan threw himself wholeheartedly into the affairs of the village and served as Parish Council chairman and chairman of the Reading Room. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Talkabout magazine and was a founder member of the Friends of St Mary Magdalene. His work rate was so impressive that when he retired as chairman of the Reading Room he was thanked for twelve years of service although he had served only eight.

Aland Peggy continued to enjoy travelling and would spend time between Helmdon and their cottage in Portugal.

Alan was a man of high principle, independent by nature, open minded as to problems but basically sympathetic to any who could not meet their own needs. He thought carefully about remedies and was tenacious in applying them even if he had to act independently. He was a firm believer in village institutions and was always prepared ”to be counted” for things he believed in.

Ill health uiltimat4ely forced him to give up public life but he maintained a continuing interest in village affairs supporting them when he was able. He will be sadly missed by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren and great grandson, as well as the village by the number of letters received by Peggy since his death.

Peggy and her family would like to thank all those who sent cards and letters of sympathy when Alan died and gave donations to the Oxford Kidney Unit which raised £217. The support of the village is much appreciated.

Family

From Talkabout Spring 2003