Please note: Family pages are organised by surname; however, this does not mean that all those people featured are related to each other. Where possible we will try to be clear about any connections there may be.

HICKLING RESIDENTS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE (a series by Carol Beadle)

Mrs Muriel Simpson (nee Buckley)

MURIEL BUCKLEY was born on 29th September 1934 at the family farm in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. She was born into a farming family and this was very much in her blood throughout her life. She was the eldest of 3 daughters, with younger sisters, Margaret and Rosemary.

In March 1949, the family moved into Malthouse Farm on Main St, Hickling, which is still a farm today run by the Collishaw family. As the family had no sons, it was Muriel who had to help her father as soon as she was old enough.

In 1951, Muriel’s father died suddenly. Muriel who was only 16yrs old had to take on the running of the Dairy Farm with her mother. Her younger sisters also helped when they were old enough but it was Muriel who stepped up to take her father’s place. The local farmers rallied round at this time to help the Buckley family wherever they could.

Through sheer hard work and determination, Muriel became a very successful dairy farmer and was a shareholder in Long Clawson Dairy. Muriel’s dairy herd consisted of over 70 cows, all of which were given names by her. Muriel milked British Friesians which are black and white.

During her long and very full life, Muriel was involved in all activities and clubs in the village and was at the forefront when it came to organising events and fundraising activities.

PARISH COUNCIL – She was a member of the Parish Council for many years and her contributions always valued.

ST LUKE’S PARACHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL – Muriel served the Church for many years on the Council and her fund-raising ideas helped support the upkeep of the village church. It is partly thanks to Muriel’s efforts that the church building did not deteriorate and has some modern facilities.

THE DRAMA GROUP – During the 1950’s and 1960’s there was an active drama group in Hickling of which Muriel was a member. They would meet and rehearse to put on performances for the villagers. They often met at Malthouse Farm to rehearse and a member from that time said sometimes no one could say their lines for laughter.

WRVS – Muriel was never afraid of jumping behind a wheel and driving and for a time she delivered Meals on Wheels to local villages in the Vale of Belvoir.

The Collishaws recall –Muriel was known locally for always wearing gloves when driving to protect her hands especially when driving a tractor.

THE HICKLING WOMEN’S INSTITUTE – Muriel joined this shortly after moving to Hickling, During the 60+ years when she was a member, she held every possible position. It was always to Muriel everyone turned to for help and advice.

Carol Beadle recalls- As a relative newcomer to the WI, I was given the role of programme organiser, a position previously held by Muriel. A hard act to follow and I was delighted to report to Muriel my success in booking my first speaker. In Muriel’s typical straight speaking manner she said ‘that is all very well but have you a backup plan if the speaker lets you down at the last minute?’ I have to admit that Muriel was correct in her advice as the speaker did let me down!!’

MELTON WI COUNTRY MARKET – Muriel became a well-known member of this and would take her plants, preserves and baking for sale at the markets.

Carol Beadle recalls –often when I popped in to see Muriel, there would be a preserving pan on the stove bubbling away making some of Muriel’s lovely jam

ANIMALS – Muriel was fond of animals. She owned and bred King Charles Cavalier spaniels which gave her great pleasure.

GARDENING- Muriel always had a passion for gardening. She enjoyed growing sweet peas and would enter them in the Royal British Legion annual show winning prizes with them. She passed on her knowledge to her sister, Margaret, who also went on to grow exhibition quality sweet peas and win prizes.

After retirement Muriel spent many hours creating a really wonderful colourful country garden.

Liz Vear recalls –Muriel has a very engaging smile and a lovely chuckle. She loved gardening and I shall always think of her when I see a garden full of hellebores;

JUMBLE SALES – No Hickling Jumble Sale would be complete without seeing Muriel and Michael walking through the village with their wheelbarrow full of items for the jumble sale. Muriel’s energy and stamina at these events certainly put the younger helpers to shame. Muriel would gather the better quality items and have her own section of the village hall with her stall which always took a great deal of money.

VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE – Muriel was a member of the Village Hall Committee

Dorothy Chahal recalls – Muriel was a very determined woman and liked to get things done.

When Muriel’s mother began having mobility issues the family sold Malthouse Farm and built a bungalow on the site of Cromwell House. When Muriel’s farm worker retired, Muriel decided to retire from dairy farming. A farm sale was held in 1978 to dispose of the stock and machinery.

MURIEL AND MICHAEL in later years Muriel married Michael Simpson., Muriel had got to know Michael at the Cropwell Bishop Chapel and they were married in 1991. From that time onwards they were always seen as a ‘pair’ and worked together as a team supporting each other.

Judith and Peter Harrison recall –we enjoyed being invited for afternoon tea with Michael and Muriel. Muriel would serve us delicious homemade cakes. Muriel had strong views on many topics but also had a great sense of humour.

The couple loved going on coach holidays and also joined many of the village coach day trips. As Muriel told Pauline Chell – these trips enable us to see places and have a relaxing day out with door to door service.

Molly Collishaw recalls –Muriel and Michael were excellent neighbours for over 30 years and always offered unwavering support and understanding. Muriel had her own little quirks and despite our repeated asking, she would never enter Malthouse Farm which had been her home for many years as she did not want to lose her memories of how it was when her family lived there.

Muriel died on 13^th April 2023 aged 88 yrs. Her funeral service took place on Friday 5th May at 2.30pm in Hickling Church with a full Church. The service was followed by a committal at Clawson Lane Churchyard, Hickling. Over 60 people joined the family for refreshments afterwards in Hickling Village Hall. The food was prepared, cooked and served by members of Hickling WI,

The final words by Molly Collishaw:

Muriel was part of village life for so many years and will be sadly missed but had a life lived well.

(Carol Beadle June 2023)

From the Public Records:

The family of John Buckley (born 1906):

• Baptism Record: (likely) John Buckley baptised 4^th March 1906, Bradfield Parish – parents, George & Harriet Buckley.
• Census 1911: (likely) Poggs Farm, Bolsterstone Sheffield, Bradfield, Yorks
  • George Buckley – head – age 38 – born 1873, Bradfield, Yorks – farmer
  • Harriet Buckley – wife – age 30 – born 1881, Bradfield, Yorks
  • John Buckley – son – age 5 – born 1906, Bradfield, Yorks
  • Gladys Buckley – servant – single – age 15 – born 1896, Bradfield, Yorks – general servant
• Census 1911: (likely) Church Street, Beckingham, Gainsborough, Notts
  • John Walter Wright – Head – 48 – 1863 – Shipyard labourer – born Lincoln
  • Sarah Ellen Wright – Wife – 41 – 1870 – born Beckingham, Notts
  • Sheila Elizabeth Wright – Daughter – Single – 16 – 1895 – born Beckingham, Notts
  • Ivy Lillian Wright – Daughter – 12 – 1899 – School – born Beckingham, Notts
  • Jessie Mary Wright – Daughter – 4 – 1907 – born Beckingham, Notts
  • Edwin Gibbons – Boarder – Married – Male – 50 – 1861 – Plasterer – Pudsey, Yorks
• Census 1921: (likely) Bradfield, Yorks
  • George Buckley – age 48y11m – born Bradfield, Yorks – farmer (own account) – Fairhurst Farms, Brightholmlee, Yorks.
  • Harriet Buckley – age 42y5m – born Bradfield, Yorks – house duties & dairy work
  • John Buckley – age 15y2m – born Bradfield, Yorks – farm work for father.
• Census 1921: (likely) Church Street, Beckingham, Lincs
  • John Walter Wright – Head – born 1863 – 58 – Lincoln – Shipyard Driller – J S Watson Gainsboro Shipbuilding Ltd
  • Sarah Ellen Wright – Wife – born 1870 – 51 – Beckingham, Notts – Household Duties
  • Ivy Lillian Wright – Daughter – born 1898 – 22 – Beckingham, Notts – Household Duties
  • Jessie Mary Wright – Daughter – born 1906 – 15 – Beckingham, Notts – Household Duties
  • Rosa Ann Wright – Daughter – Female – born 1912 – 9 – Beckingham, Notts
  • George Edward  Lilley – Boarder – born 1884 – 37 – Broxholme, Lincs – hay brusher -employed by H Emmerson (Linoln) Hay Dealer
• Marriage Record: (likely) John Buckley to Jessie M Wright – Q2 1931, Gainsborough, Lincs
• Birth record: Muriel Buckley born Q4 1934 (mother’s maiden name, Wright), Bingham District
• 1939 Register: Pans Barn Farm, Cropwell Rd, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Notts.
  • John Buckley, born 3^rd Feb 1906 – farmer heavy work
  • Jessie [M] Buckley, born 13^th June 1906 – domestic duties
  • Muriel Buckley, born 29^th September 1934 – at school
  • Closed record
  • In the neighbouring household but with the same address; George Buckley born 30^th November 1872 (farm hand) and Harriet Buckley born [… … 18…] house duties.
• Birth Record: (possible) Margaret Buckley Q2 1943, Nottingham District (mother’s maiden name, Wright)
• Birth record: (possible) Rosemary Buckley Q4 1950, Nottingham District (mother’s maiden name, Wright).
• Probate Record: John Buckley died 10^th May 1951 – ‘Buckley John of Malt House Farm Hickling Nottinghamshire died 10 May 1951 at The General Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 2 October 1952 to Jessie Mary Buckley widow and Joseph Albert Henry Macklin accountant. Effects £9822.6s.2d.’ A handwritten note has been added to the record – ‘Further grant Manchester 1 September 1987.’
• Probate Record: Jessie Mary Buckley died 15^th February 1987, probate 19^th August 1987. ‘Buckley, Jessie Mary of Cromwell Fied Farm Hickling Melton Mowbray Leics died 15 February 1987 Probate Manchester 19 August £53098.’
• Marriage Record: Muriel Buckley to Samuel A Michael Simpson, Q3 1991, Rushcliffe.

From the Wadkin Archives:

Scrapbook of Hickling:

• (p.62) Parish Council: May 1976 Chairman Harry S. Robinson, Vice – Chairman Ian Woolley, John Walker, J. Parkes, R. Collishaw, Mrs. Gweneth Cane, Miss Muriel Buckley. Clerk Mrs. D. Bevington.
• (p.89) School photograph – 1952/3 Back row John Walker, Jean Speed, Oliver Smith, Miss Proudman, Marion Walker, Margaret Buckley, David Parr, Anthony Peet
• (p.90) School photograph – 1954/55 Back row Tony Bacon, Christine Simpson, Geo. Richardson, Margaret Buckley Jean Speed Carol (Morse ‘s cottage), Anthony Peet, David Parr, Jayne Harwood
• (p.95) photo caption – Mrs. Slater Shelton (Susanna) outside her home ‘ Cromwell House ‘ House became derelict and unsafe and was taken down by owners Mr. & Mrs. Buckley, Malt House Farm in 1949.

Maggie’s Memories:

• (p.51) MALT HOUSE Stood next to Cromwell House. Three stories high. Farm buildings built on the old site of Cromwell House. I remember the Malt Vats in one of the buildings, but do not know if they still exist. Mrs. Buckley and her Daughter are the present residents.

News cuttings:

• May 6^th 1976: Result of Parish Council Election – M Buckley (Miss) 109 votes
• May 6^th 1979: Result of Parish Council Election – Miss M Buckley 126 votes
• September 1^st 1979: Horticultural Show – M. Buckley won first prize for the best geranium.
• September 1980: British Legion Horticultural Show – M Buckley won second prizefor the best geranium
• September 1981: M Buckley won the Garden News Shield, a third for Dahlias, first for a jar of jam,
• September 1982: M Buckley won best collection of garden flowers, best floral arrangement (although one news report mistakenly records, ‘Other major winners … Mrs Muriel Buckley).
• August 1983: Mother’s Union members brought a breath of country life to children from the Crabtree Estate in Nottingham who had asked to see cows being milked. The Union arranged a visit to the farm of Mr Shelton Walker at milking time followed b a trip to see calves at Miss M Buckley’s home. Tea was taken in Mrs Vera Haynes’s garden.
• September 1983: British legion annual horticultural show – M Buckley is a trophy winner and won prizes for a begonia and a floral arrangement.
• September 1983: Coffee morning and other fundraising projects organised by Mrs J Atkins realised £105.80 for the NSPCC. Helpers were Mrs A Andrews, Mrs J Evans, Mrs T Herrick, Mrs J Lander, Mrs E Parkes, raffle, Mr J Shaw, Miss M Buckley, Mr lockwood, MrsK Wadkin, Mrs H Marriott and Mrs Parkes, jun.