A Tribute to Vernon Page (1905 - 1996)

On Saturday 7th December last (1996), at 9.00am., I had a phone call from Brian to inform me that earlier that day his father, Vernon Page, had died. For me, a part of Barrow Green, that had always been there, had suddenly gone. I had never known Barrow Green without Vernon, When we moved to ‘The Crescent’ in May 1929 he was already installed in No.1, and since that date there has been no other tenant at that address.

Vernon was a quiet man, a gentleman, I have never heard him shout or lose his temper; he may well have done but I never heard him. In the days when he rode his cycle, it was always at the same steady pace. He worked hard all his life and was a good servant to Percy French. In fact, he once came close to losing his life. He was ploughing with his tractor in the field behind the Signal Box when he drove over a Dene Hole. This deep ancient storage well caved in but, fortunately, he was able to steer clear.

My early recollection of Vernon was at St. Mary’s. On a Sunday, when the last peel of bells had died away, he would climb down the wooden stairs from the belfry into the vestry where he would don his surplice and join us in the choir. In my last conversation with him he said to me “ You know, when anybody wants to know anything about Teynham they always ask me. I don’t know why”. I do.

Goodbye Vernon, may you rest in peace.

Vernon Page was Teynham
Teynham was Vernon Page
Not many of the ‘Old-uns’
Reached his ripe old age.
Hymns were sung, bells were rung
For many, many years
So now we join together
With memories fond tears.