Mary Tiso's Memories
Eric Tiso and Mary (nee Usherwood) on their wedding day in 1953. They had their wedding reception in 'The Pavillion'
Eric and Mary Tiso are well known in the village of Harlaston, each having made Harlaston their home.
Mary Usherwood was born in Elford, but moved to No. 1 Main Road Harlaston with her parents when she was about 18 months old.
She went to Harlaston School where approximately 12 children were educated by Miss Knight. She remembers looking after Peter Hill, who was about four years younger than her, she and he took their sandwiches to eat at Harold Richardson's house (Rose Cottage) as there was no facility for eating at school at that time. There were some occasions where Mary remembers having to coax a somewhat reluctant Peter back to school for the afternoon session!
Mary also remembers that children were required to practice in the case of bombing. No safe shelter for them- they hid under a hedge!
Mary went to Perricrofts School in Tamworth and one day, while travelling on the bus she was sitting next to Dorothy Alsopp when a horse from Calcotts farm bolted, and stuck its head right through the bus window showering them all with glass!
Mary also remembers going with Roy Wallis (who lived next door to her) to help Tommy Holding and Lydia. Tommy had a club-foot and so found walking difficult, Mary and Roy used to walk to the White Lion with a big bottle, knock on the inside window which moved up/ down, and collect beer for Tom.
Mary also remembers although he had difficulty in moving around his house had a step-ladder to get to the upstairs as there were no stairs. - Health and Safety hadn't been invented then!
Mary's Mum and Dad kept chickens, and so on a Saturday she would go to Burton on the bus with a dozen eggs, where she would exchange these for some sausages from the market.
Later, Mary became Harlaston's post-person. Turning in to work at 7, the post arrived at 7:10 in the morning and she was required to sort it and deliver it by 8:25 am no matter what the time of year or how much post there was! At that time in Harlaston there weren't as many houses, nor did they all have post-boxes. Mary remembers each house used to have a place to place the post, for some it was under a bucket, one even asked for it to be placed up a drain-pipe! Each village had a post master- Edingale's had a much harder job than Mary as he/ she was required to collect the post and deliver it to Harlaston to be picked up and taken to the main sorting office as well as delivering the post around Edingale. Mary left this post in 1958 as she was expecting her first child, about this time the post was changed and came in vans from Tamworth. It was then that all houses were required to have a defined name or number- it had not been deemed necessary before then.
Eric Tiso came to Harlaston to stay with Mr Fox (Verger) when he was 11. Foxs' lived at Rectory Gate, which was not one but two cottages back then. Fox's house was ARP station during the war. One training session reservists were told to "capture' the ARP station.
Eric saw the door and latch moving, and opened it- thus 'capturing' the opposition and 'saving' the station. The next day the reservists came to explain and appologise!
From the photograph: Barry Williams was an evacuee who stayed at the Rectory for a few years. John Lewis and his sister Isobel came to stay with the Miss Lewis' (there were three of them) Isobel moved on, but John worked at Manor Farm for some years before he got a job on Lord Bath's estate.
The whistle used by the ARP warden.
"Put that light out!"
Mary's ration book
I wonder if the spare coupons for tea will still be in date?
Taken from the Parish Magazine 2017
New Year's Honours
Congratulations Mary Tiso BEM
To no surprise and with great joy and delight we heard the news that Mary had been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours list. This medal, awarded for 'meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown', can seldom have been given to a more deserving person.
Mary has lived in Harlaston for all but the first 18 months of her life, which has been spent in the service as a school governor, magistrate, churchwarden for over 40 years and as a stalwart of the WI. A familiar figure to all who use the Post Office in Harlaston, Mary remains an active member of the village and the wider Mease Valley community. She is an example to all of us who think we're 'a bit busy'.
Thank you Mary for all you've done and still do, and for what you are, an inspiration to us all.
Eric and Mary were members of Harlaston Indoor Bowls Club
Parish Magazine 2006
What a surprise!
How can we say a big enough THANK YOU (impossible) to everyone who helped organise the super party. for us on May 19th - the Parish Council, Village Hall, W.I and Church. We are extremely grateful to have such sincere friendship from everyone.
Please accept our heartfelt thanks.
Eric and Mary
Click here for Eric's eulogy
Click here to find out how Jessica (Eric and Mary's Granddaughter) aims to beat a world record