Beryl Tory: a life well-spent
Vera Beryl was born to James William and Vera Emily Weston; a little sister for Maurice, she became known as ‘Beryl’. Growing up to be a fighter in more ways than one – older brothers can do that to you. Beryl was very sporty as a teenager including cycle racing. When she left school she went to work as a seamstress. She continued to make clothes for her family and became very good at many crafts.
She met husband, Colin, aged 17. By 22 she was married with a new baby Jenny, two years later Sue, and six years after Michael. Beryl and Colin had an aviary and bred budgerigars. They also developed a massive passion for bird watching. Holidays were spent on a seagull sanctuary island off Barrow in Furness.
Move to Kibworth
Beryl, Colin and children moved to Kibworth in 1970 onto a new estate. Beryl soon made friends and loved being a part of village life. There was plenty of community spirit and she began her journey to become a huge part of its life. For despite working very hard as a mother and housewife looking after three children, being a fantastic cook who would entertain Colin’s university students yearly at a dinner party for 10/12 and giving a home and care to two of her close relatives in their old age, Beryl was a definite driving force behind many community initiatives and groups.
Her cooking lead her to her second paid job, in the mid 80s , when she was asked to help out, and worked at the Coach and Horses Pub part time for 10 years.
New to Kibworth, Colin joined the Cricket Club and Beryl the Bowls Club, then situated behind the fire station. Beryl was its secretary for twenty years, president many times and great supporter of others at major bowling events. Beryl won many a trophy and made a huge amount of friends along the way. After Colin died she went to South Africa on a three week bowls tour. She was chosen to be part of the Leicestershire County bowls team. She became president in 2005 which was her greatest bowling accolade; she was wearing her president’s uniform for her funeral.
The Kibworth Carnival
Beryl also found the time to help out at The Kibworth Carnival, run Jumble Sales to raise funds for group like the Girl Guides and take part in theatre productions and in 2000 became a founding member of the Last Minute Theatre Group. She fitted in well and casting was always for Beryl about being the comedienne or acting the fool. She loved these roles and the theatre company loved her. Beryl had always loved singing having been in a choir in her younger days. She always sang in a strong soprano voice in church which everyone could hear.
A “Small Power Pack”
Beryl was a small power pack putting her energy into many community interests. For instance: she was a member of the Leicestershire and Rutland Bat Group often taking a recovering bat with her to talks; with her friend Joan Spain she started The Kibworth and Smeeton Flower Show; took her exams and became a judge for crafts and horticulture and was a member of Leicestershire Judges Guild for 22 years; joint author of ‘Guild Policy of Judging Gardens and Allotments’; set up The Welcome Club for older residents with Joan too; helped secure funding for the Old Grammar School Hall as a community centre.
Women’s Institute was a huge part of Beryl’s life in Kibworth and she would promote the WI at every opportunity. She was a committee member, president, organiser of trips, programmes and helping, always helping. She bought her fun and laughter to this role and was a member for 55 years.
Beryl was part of the Parish Council for years, its chairman, and won the inaugural Kibworth and District Chronicle, Richard Darke Award in 2002 for services to the village.
By Royal Invitation
She was invited to The Queen’s Garden party at Buckingham Palace and had the most fabulous day as in attendance were the Queen and Prince Philip, Princess Anne and other royals. Beryl got to stand almost side by side with the Queen, and then had a great weekend of entertainment, a drink or two, a meal, a show and a noisy rickshaw ride to the hotel, which was very fitting all in all.
Aged seventy Beryl was diagnosed with Parkinsons and eventually moved into an adapted bungalow at Enderby after forty-two years in Kibworth. Beryl lived another seventeen years being cared for as lovingly as she had cared for others.
Her family is inordinately proud of Beryl and her achievements. As her daughter says,
” Every community needs a Beryl!”
For the full version of Beryl Tory’s eulogy click here
Beryl Tory: The Full Eulogy
