Tributes to 'warm and popular' Holyport man who lived in the village for 95 years

A ‘warm and popular’ man in the Holyport community has passed away aged 95, having spent his whole life in the village.

Gerald Langham’s life began in the Belgian Arms, which would continue to be a place of importance for him over his many decades.

The fourth of five children, Gerald was born in The Belgian Arms in 1929, which was run by his parents, Arthur and Elizabeth.

After getting married in 1952 to his beloved wife Barbara, Gerald held the celebration of their nuptials at this same pub.

The pair then lived there for about three years before moving into their own home in Holyport Road, where they lived together for the next 70 years, until Barbara passed away 11 years ago.

Living during the age of National Service, Gerald also served a stint in the RAF from about 1949 to 1951. He was a physical training instructor during his service.

He worked in Maidenhead as a precision engineer, employed for many years at the British Ermeto Corporation (now Alenco Industrial Components).

Gerald then worked for the Mountfield Lawnmowers company while that was based in the town and then briefly worked in the transport team of the NHS, eventually retiring in 1994.

He lived ‘in good health’ for most of the remaining 30 years of his life.

Gerald met his wife Barbara in Maidenhead, at a dance in the Maidenhead Drill Hall. They married in 1952 in Bray.

Their son, Jeremy Langham, described Gerald as a warm and friendly man with a passion for sports, old cars and the outdoors.

A trained and keen sportsman, Gerald played cricket and football on Holyport Green throughout the 1930s as a child, later playing football for the Maidenhead Wanderers and winning many plaques for sporting achievements.

He was outgoing and known for laughing and joking, was close with his neighbours and ‘very popular with everyone who met him.’

Gerald loved Holyport and never wanted to live anywhere else, Jeremy said.

“One of his main claims to fame is that he moved half a mile from his birthplace to where he lived until the end of his life,” said Jeremy. “Very unusual in this day and age.”

Gerald remembered fondly the old village and foraging for blackberries and badger watching as a boy.

A lover of nature in general, Gerald spent much time in his younger years walking the fields and later settled down to birdwatch in his garden.

One of his special skills was his handiness – he could ‘turn his hand to anything’ in ‘any material’ said Jeremy – DIY repairs, woodwork and metalwork.

“He was able to think of a solution to any practical problem,” said Jeremy.

Keen on vintage cars, Gerald visited Knowl Hill Steam Rally every year until it was discontinued, among a range of other events.

He was secretary of the Bean Car Club for many years and helped organise vintage car runs to the coast at Bournemouth and Christchurch, which he especially loved.

Gerald also held a stall at the Beaulieu Autojumble which he went to every year since the late 1960s, selling bits and bobs he’d collected throughout the year ‘not necessarily at a profit’ – and Jeremy intends to continue the stall this year on his behalf.

Barbara often joined Gerald on his rallies and trips each year. Family was ‘very important’ to him and being a good father was something he took pride in, Jeremy said.

Gerald passed away after ‘a very short illness’ on February 12. He is survived by his two children Jeremy and Jeanette, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His funeral is set for 11am on April 2 at St Michael’s Church in Bray and will be buried with Barbara in Braywick Cemetery at about midday, followed by a small wake at The Belgian Arms.

The family asks any donations in Gerald’s honour be sent to the British Heart Foundation.