The above, to which I have added a few extra pictures, first appeared in the Marlow Free Press in November 2014 and I thought that a reprint today might be fitting as result of the passing of another notable Marlow personality.

Three weeks ago this page included a brief mention of Pam Nottingham in connection with W.T.Porter’s, the haulage firm next to the old railway station. Pam’s father Fred was the best-known face of this company, who also were proud to have the G.W.R. delivery contract. Pam (married name Johnson) had moved to North London but often showed up at the Marlow Museum demonstrating her famous skills at lace-making.

She had provided me with many local pictures over the years that I had known her. I emailed her a scan of the page and was surprised there was no reply. It seems that by coincidence, and a very sad coincidence, 89-year-old Pam had passed away on the same day that this Marlow Free Press came out. I knew her health was not good these days but it was a shock - as I said in the earlier page she was a lovely lady.

Born in 1934, she had vivid memories and stories of the town in the time of the Second World War, and there are less and less Marlovians around now to provide similar reminiscences. I made a suggestion to Pam that if she were to write down her memories of childhood they could be added to some appropriate pictures from my collection to make a nice and interesting little booklet. Pam liked the idea, and, well familiar with computer techniques unlike many of her generation, she sent me a USB stick with some fascinating nostalgia.

Pam agreed with me that a few extra chapters covering the late 40s and into the 50s might have more general interest, and she promised to write some more. However the lockdown problems and her health must have caused the delay and I heard no more.

I have added, below my 2014 pictures, a few extra ones originally provided by Pam, plus a colour version of the museum picture. Somewhere I have a DVD recording of her on that BBC thing with Terry Wogan when she showed him a bit about lace-making. Then comes a nice view up the line at the old station showing the train shed; Fred with ‘Kit’ in front of Porter’s goods yard, and lastly a very rare postcard showing Second World War activities at Medmenham, the church just visible in the background. This deserves more explanation in another column.

Contact Michael at michael@jazzfans.co or 01628 486571.