This memorial website was created in memory of our beloved wife, Mum, Nan, Old Nan, Aunt and cherished friend, Brenda Mary Sims- known fondly by many as Primula.
We are thankful for the privilege of knowing this thoughtful and quirky woman, truly one of a kind, who has touched and enriched each of our lives.
We are also thankful that she knew and loved Jesus and that she honoured God by serving and blessing so many of us. Whilst we miss her dearly, praise God that she is now with him.
Please join with us in sharing your memories & photos of Primula as we take time to reflect on and honour her life xx
Brenda was born on 26 February 1932 at her family home, Red Cow Farm.
Her maternal grandparents, Frederick Charles Battlebury & Clara Frances Cantelo, were both born in Middlesex. Clara, who was known as Florence, is the suspected ancestor where Brenda's enviable brown skin & supposed “Italian blood” might come from. Frederick was involved in the family confectionary manufacturing trade. He came from a family of confectioners. Fredrick and Florence were married c1894 and had 10 children. Brendas mum, Lillian Grace (known as Grace), was the 3rd Child. She was born on Monday 4 October 1897 in Hackney, East London.
Brenda's paternal grandfather Joseph married her grandmother Elizabeth, who was the sister of his first wife, after she died. Joseph & Elizabeth were tenant farmers at Red Cow Farm, which was then owned by a Mr Faulch. Red Cow Farm specialised in breeding Aylesbury ducks for the London hotel trade. Brenda's father Reginald was the last of six childen for Joe and the third for Elizabeth. He was born on Tuesday 24th May 1898 at Red Cow Farm.
Red Cow Farm was located in Dunstable, approximately 30 miles from London.
Here we can see Red Cow Farm, alongside the farmhouse and cottage. Lillian & Reginald also owned two fields- Hand Post Field and Front Meadow.
Red Cow Farm specialised in breeding Aylsbury Ducks- at one stage they had more of these ducks than anyone else in England. The duck business thrived and "Green Bros" became very well known in the area. The fields around Bidwell were white with ducks and this continued until the second world war. By the 1930s expansion had taken place to include dairy cows. Milk & eggs were being produced and delivered. Reginald developed a retail milk round in Dunstable and Houghton Regis.
Reginald worked 365 days a year, often working 16 hour days. He was a familiar figure around Dunstable with his horse and cart loaded up with churns of milk fresh from the cows. He would carry the milk into his customer’s kitchen and ladle it into their milk jug. Deliveries were made twice a day in the early days as people did not have fridges. Not forgetting that this also meant he milked the cows twice a day.
Brenda was the middle of three children, born on 26 February 1932 between Gladys (1924) & Donald (1935). Brenda grew up on Red Cow Farm.
When asked about growing up, Brenda said "I always felt like the “middle child”. My older sister was the oldest daughter & received accolades for her missionary work; my younger brother was the only boy which also came with benefits for him".
When she was about 3 years old her mum was very ill & had to have a kidney removed- which was one of the first operations of its kind.
Red Cow Farm was a refuge for many during WW2. Brenda's uncle Frederick (the older brother of Brenda's mum Lillian) sent his wife Sarah (Sadie) and daughter, Margaret (born 1937) from London to stay at Red Cow Farm- Brenda, Donald and Margaret played together as children.
Red Cow Farm also had two ‘air raid shelters’ which were built by her father. One was mostly underground with an arched roof made of steel and covered with earth so the grass grew all over and it was invisible from the air. Brenda spent a few cold nights in there with many of the neighbours. She also had a shelter in her sitting room. The allied bombers used to fly over Brenda's house in the late evenings, soon after she had gone to bed. On some occasions there were literally hundreds flying in formation right across the sky and quite low, always in a south-easterly direction towards Germany. The roar of their engines was something Brenda found unforgettable.
Living on a farm during the war also meant that there were always eggs & milk which meant Brenda was somewhat sheltered from the impact of war rationing and food shortages.
Towards the end of the war Brenda had several prisoners working on the farm and at neighbouring farms. They were delivered in the morning and collected at the end of the day. They worked hard and were generally happy and sociable to Brenda and her siblings. They were well looked after and some stayed on after the war ended.
Near the end of the war, Brenda's dad, Reg, was on his milk round in Dunstable. He left his milk can (which was full with about a couple of gallons of milk) on the pavement outside a customer’s house while he went round the back to collect some money. When he returned he found his milk flowing down the pavement out of the side of the can. A German fighter plane had flown up the High Street firing at people as they walked to work. He missed all the people but managed to put a bullet straight through Reg's can! Reg was quite upset... to lose his milk!
This section includes the eulogies that we’re given at Primula’s funeral. (Videos of the eulogies have been posted in the “Gallery” section of this website, under “Videos”).
If you would like to place a tribute for Primula, please do soin the “About” section.
When a Loved One Goes Home
Once they saw through a glass darkly, now they see their risen Lord.
Once they fought through tests and trials, now they stand in faith's reward.
Once they had but partial knowledge, now they know as they are known.
Once they walked a pilgrim's journey, now their feet are safely home.
'-Roy Lessin '
A Tribute to my friend Primula
Friday the 15th of June the daily reading said ' We are citizens of Heaven' Phil 3:20
It said God created us for Heaven and nothing in life will fully satisfy that longing.....and that is why we try to make Heaven down here. You could see this with Primula, her garden was always flourishing, her home beautiful and colourful, her heart was open, generous and so hospitable.
I'm going to miss hearing, ' Now Kath, what are we going to do about.....? Lately my grey hair.
How close is a friend who could tell me truths about myself without causing offence....' Kath you know you are very opinionated ' !
We in our family loved this about her and Roy and Primula were highly valued and treasured in our home.
So my friend, you leave a huge hole in our hearts, but we release you to enjoy Heaven, to walk around God's garden, to soak up His sunshine and warmth and as the reading for that day concluded....
' And as your redeemed ones leave to go to Heaven, your longing to join them will increase.'
To this we can say YES AND AME
As the oldest grandchildren, Sarah and I are honored to talk about our amazing Nan. Along with our cousin Peter, we are speaking on behalf of all the grandkids. We each had a very special relationship with Nan and shared many wonderful experiences with her. She has been a big part of all of our lives and we have all learnt a lot from her. As such we wanted to share four valuable lessons that we can thank Nan for!
