Rather than shining a spotlight on just one remarkable person from Marlow’s past, we’d like to celebrate the many people who have helped shape our town in ways, both big and small. We begin with two examples:

Patricia Burstall BEM (1936–2016)

Some people leave their mark through fame or fortune. Others quietly transform the communities around them through decades of dedication, generosity and service. Patricia Burstall belonged firmly to the latter.

Awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2015, Patricia spent much of her life enriching Marlow, Bisham and the surrounding area. Although naturally private and fiercely independent, she became one of the community’s best-loved volunteers, historians and conservationists, giving her time to an extraordinary number of local organisations.

After studying English Literature at the University of Reading, Patricia worked as a secretary and researcher for the BBC. In 1989 she left her career to care for her mother, and from then on devoted herself almost entirely to voluntary work. It was a decision that would benefit thousands of people over the following decades.

Many will remember Patricia cycling purposefully through Marlow and Bisham, a familiar sight on her bicycle as she travelled between meetings, church events and fundraising activities. She organised the Bisham Gardens Open Days for more than twenty years, campaigned successfully to protect Bisham Woods through the Woodland Trust, served as historian and guide for Bisham Church, supported Buckinghamshire Historic Churches, volunteered with Age Concern and visited retired BBC staff. She was also a patron of Marlow Choral Society, volunteered at Marlow Museum and spent over fifty years selling poppies for the Royal British Legion.

Her passion for local history extended well beyond volunteering. Patricia wrote two acclaimed books, The Golden Age of the Thames and The Golden Age of the Bicycle, both celebrating aspects of Britain’s social history. She became an authority on Bisham Church and local history, delighting visitors with guided tours that combined meticulous research with a wonderfully dry sense of humour.

Patricia also loved the countryside. An enthusiastic walker, she completed many of Britain’s long-distance footpaths and was delighted to see the creation of the Thames Path, something she had long hoped would become a reality. She also played an important role in preserving Bisham’s historic turnpike milestones, helping to secure their protection for future generations.

Despite all she achieved, Patricia remained remarkably modest. Friends described her as kind, thoughtful and quietly determined, with a sharp wit hidden behind a gentle manner. Receiving the British Empire Medal shortly before her death was a fitting recognition of a lifetime spent serving others, although those who knew her would say she never sought praise or recognition.

Patricia Burstall’s legacy can still be seen throughout Marlow and Bisham, not in grand monuments, but in the organisations she supported, the history she preserved and the countless lives she touched. She reminds us that a community is shaped not only by its famous names, but by those who give their time, knowledge and compassion without expecting anything in return. She truly was one of Marlow’s remarkable people.

Dr Rachel Brown (1922–2015)

Every town is fortunate to have someone who records its story before it slips from living memory. For Marlow, that person was Dr Rachel Brown. Historian, researcher, author and community leader, she dedicated much of her life to preserving the heritage of the town she loved, ensuring that future generations would understand the people, places and events that shaped it.

Born Rachel White in 1922 at Widmere Farm near Marlow, Rachel’s connection with the area began long before she became one of its foremost historians. She studied at the University of Reading, graduating with a degree in Dairying in 1942 before embarking on an academic career. She joined what is now Queen Elizabeth College, University of London, where she rose from junior lecturer to become Head of Microbiology, an impressive achievement at a time when relatively few women held senior academic positions.

In 1960 she married David Brown at All Saints Church, Marlow, and the following year they returned to High Rews Farm to manage a dairy herd. Although her career in science was remarkable, Rachel’s return to Marlow marked the beginning of a lifetime of service to the community. Following David’s death in 1990, the farm became an equestrian centre, with Rachel continuing to play an active role in its management for many years.

Rachel’s greatest contribution, however, lay in her commitment to local organisations and to preserving Marlow’s history. She served as a trustee of the Myers Trust, ensuring support reached those most in need, became involved with the Marlow Players, and was Chairman and later President of the Marlow and District Horticultural Society. She also served as Chairman before becoming Vice President of the Marlow Society, where her enthusiasm, organisation and determination helped shape many of the Society’s projects and activities. Those who worked alongside her often remarked that these were never simply honorary positions. Rachel was someone who made things happen.

Her passion for local history inspired her to co-author two important books: Marlow: A Pictorial History and Great Marlow – Parish and People in the 19th Century. Through painstaking research in archives, historic documents and photographs, she recorded stories that might otherwise have been lost. Her work has become an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of Marlow and the surrounding area, and continues to inform local historians today.

Those who knew Rachel remembered not only her remarkable knowledge but also her warmth, generosity and willingness to share her expertise. She was often described as a “true Marlovian”, with an extraordinary grasp of the town’s history and an infectious enthusiasm for bringing it to life. When she passed away in 2015 at the age of 93, Marlow lost one of its greatest champions. Thankfully, through her books, research and decades of community service, her legacy lives on, helping future generations discover and appreciate the rich history of the town she loved.

Who is your Legend of Marlow?

As Marlow Museum prepares to open its Pop-Up Museum on the High Street this summer, we’re asking the community one simple question: Who is your Legend of Marlow?

Perhaps it’s someone well known, like jazz champion Michael Eagleton or master lacemaker Pamela Nottingham, whose lives and work will be celebrated in the Pop-Up Museum. Or perhaps it’s someone whose name never appeared in the newspapers but whose kindness, dedication or quiet determination left a lasting mark on our community.

Every town has its legends. They might be a teacher who inspired generations of pupils, a volunteer who gave countless hours to local causes, a shopkeeper who knew everyone by name, a local artist, musician or craftsperson, or a neighbour whose generosity quietly touched the lives of those around them. These are the stories that don’t always make it into history books, but they are just as important in telling the story of Marlow.

History is more than dates and buildings. It lives in the memories we share, the traditions we pass on and the people who have shaped our community through their passion, service and friendship. Many of the stories that make a place truly special are never written down. Unless someone takes the time to tell them, they risk being lost forever. By sharing these memories today, we can help preserve them for future generations and ensure that the people who helped make Marlow what it is are remembered.

The Pop-Up Museum, running from 25 July to 4 September at All Saints Church Hall, is about much more than displaying objects. Alongside exhibitions celebrating Michael Eagleton and the exquisite lacework of Pamela Nottingham, it is an opportunity to discover local history, explore fascinating collections and help shape the future of Marlow Museum.

Throughout the exhibition, we’ll be inviting visitors to take part in a community “show and tell”. Bring along a photograph, a treasured keepsake, a newspaper clipping, a letter, a medal, or simply a story about someone you believe deserves to be remembered. We’d love to hear about the characters, volunteers, business owners, sportspeople, community champions and unsung heroes who have made Marlow the special place it is today.

You may even have an object tucked away in a drawer that has a story to tell. Sometimes the smallest memento can open a window into the past and spark memories that might otherwise have been forgotten.

History belongs to all of us, and every family has a story worth sharing.

So this month, we’re asking Who is your Marlow Legend?

We hope you’ll visit the Pop-Up Museum this summer, enjoy the exhibitions, browse the collections, and perhaps leave us with a story of your own. Together, we can build a richer picture of Marlow’s history, one memory at a time