Ivy Blofield
Ivy Blofield (1919 – 2021) was born in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire on 1st December 1919 to Bert and Alice Gale, the fifth of seven children. At the age of fourteen Ivy started work in the Post Office near Slough. She relocated to London working through World War 2 and the Blitz at the telephone exchange near St Paul’s Cathedral. Through being a member of the Clarion Cycling Club, Ivy met George Blofield and they were married on 30th January 1942. In 1948 Ivy and George moved to Chartham, Kent before moving to Old Wives Lees and then Waltham. As well as bringing up their two daughters, Gill and Jane, Ivy worked part-time at the local farms and as a cleaner at St Augustine’s Hospital. Ivy was a member of the Chartham, Old Wives Lees and Hastinglea Women’s Institutes (WI). In addition to cycling, Ivy was a reader of poetry, a member of Barham Bowling Club and a keen gardener, winning prizes. She always liked walking and was a protector of footpaths and rights of ways.
