Page 211 - Redditch People

Redditch People

MADGE TILLSLEY MBE

Madge was born in Jamaica. She came from a strict Methodist
background and she says that her first priority has always re-
mained her Christian faith. Her father was a master printer and
both her grandparents were headmasters. She met her hus-
band, Jim, when he was in the Worcestershire Regiment. They
were married over there and by the time she decided to come
to England in the 1950s, they had two small boys.

A natural leader, she has been engaged in too many activities to
list . She served as a Councillor for nine years and in May 1991
she was elected mayor. She says:

“I wanted to put something back in the community because
when I came to Redditch the people, the residents, my work-
mate, my employees – everybody was quite helpful towards me.
I can honestly say I have never come across any racial problems since I have been here. “

One morning, a letter came marked ‘Confidential Prime Minister’, it was her nomination for an
MBE. She has met the Queen twice and she’s also met Princess Diana.

EDITH WALL

Edith was born in about 1883 and interviewed in 1979.

Born in Redditch, she worked in London for High Society, living at
17 Park Lane. Visitors to next door included Lord Rothschild,
Edward VII and Queen Victoria. When she returned to Redditch
she lived in a cottage in Foxlydiate Lane where Samuel Middleton
had murdered his wife.

© RLHS 2015 Page: 211