Marlow Bottom - Points of Interest

Points of Interest

Steve Redgrave lives in the village, and the original fungus from which Quorn was made was found in a field nearby (Quorn is still manufactured by the company Marlow Foods). Marlow Bottom villagers meet annually in the summer for the Rose Carnival, a local celebration and fundraiser. The 'Rose Carnival Queen', is chosen from a selection of pupils at Burford School, who enter a competition to win the title.

Mr Elkins

Philip and Kate Lena Elkins retired to Marlow Bottom in the mid-1950s following a 30-year stay in Singapore, where Phil was an official in Maritime Customs. Phil and Lena were interned in Singapore in Changi Gaol during WW2. Lena died in the early 1960s, and Phil may have remarried. (this information taken from the internet - Curious Fox website)

I have very fond memories of Mr Elkins and his lovely house and garden, now gone to make way for 4 detached houses. My family moved to Marlow Bottom in 1964 when I was 9 and we lived near Mr Elkins. I never knew his first name as he was always known as Mr Elkins. He had a lovely big garden which he took great pride in, I think there was a big willow in the front, and his house may have been pink. He often stood on the corner of Squirrel Rise (where we lived) and would give sweets to the children on their way home from school. My mother told me that he and his wife had suffered in prison in Japan and that because of this they never been able to have children - I always assumed that this was why he like to chat to us. I believe his first wife had died and the lady we knew was his second wife.

He used to show my brother and I round his garden - it was from him that I learnt about plants such as lily of the valley which we did not have in our garden. He gave my brother and I a silver birch sapling each - I remember being with him at the top of his garden where it was wooded and him finding them and digging them up for us. We planted them in our garden in Squirrel Rise where they were always known as Mr Elkins' trees. They lasted a good number of years but sadly they eventually both grew too tall and spindly and they are no longer there.

The Elkins were a very kind couple and I also remember them giving my brother and I home made ice-cream - the first home-made ice-cream I ever had and quite different from bought ice-cream - it was more like water ice. He also lent us books about the war. One in particular I remember was called "Glories of Britain".