Tribute to Wirral's June Lancelyn Green MBE

The Oxford graduate - who went on to become a teacher, witty public speaker, theatre producer and Dowager's Diary for the Wirral Champion magazine - was a member of Wirral's oldest family that has lived at Poulton Hall for more than 850 years.

She was described by family friend, Professor Steve Harding as "a great ambassador for Wirral."

Paying tribute Steve, whose mother was a friend of June's, continued: "Wirral has every reason to be grateful to June Lancelyn Green, one of its greatest daughters and ambassadors.

"Thank you June!"

At school June won various poetry recital and other competitions and won a place to read English at the University of Oxford, where she became a key member of the University's drama, music and literary groups

It was here she met Roger Lancelyn Green. They married in 1948 and had three children, Scirard, Richard and Priscilla (Cilla).

The family returned to Poulton Hall and Roger, who was born in 1918 and passed away in 1987, became a famous novelist with a passion for English and Northern folklore such as Robin Hood and Norse mythology.

Meanwhile, June took up a post at Wirral Girls Grammar School teaching speech and drama.

On her time at the school Steve Harding said: "Many generations of girls were treated to her boundless energy and novel ideas – characteristics which continued for the rest of her life."

She was also a prolific theatre producer in Wirral.

Steve continued: "Productions which made full use of her experience at Oxford - ranged from school plays to grand opera: dramatic societies on Wirral and Merseyside were galvanised into action.

"Nobody could refuse her pleas for assistance with every new project which included outdoor plays from Shakespeare and Milton, culminating in a production of Lewis Carroll's Alice Through the Looking Glass where the auditorium revolved to each new scene.

"June became a truly international figure and great ambassador for Wirral.

"She was a key member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, which took her to major competitions in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

"She was also a member of The Soroptimists, taking them on a tour to Australia, the Sherlock Holmes Society, with which she toured Switzerland to retrace one of the most famous scenes - the Reichenbach Fall(s) – an event which the whole nation watched nightly on the news.

"For decades June has been an accomplished and hilariously witty speaker at hundreds of dinners and events both locally and around the North West.

"June did a tremendous amount of charity work and became patron of the Baden Powell Guild.

"For many years she was a columnist with Dowager's Diary for the Wirral Champion magazine, and was a strong supporter of the Neston Flower Society, Bebington Rotary Club and her own Book Club.

"At Poulton Hall she organised many arts courses, while embarking on her 25 year project to restore and open the Walled Gardens to the public raising many tens of thousands of pounds for the National Garden Scheme charities and other beneficiaries.

"It was there, in 2004, and in recognition of her husbands passion for all things Viking I was honoured to unveil with its creator Sue Sharples the now famous Wirral icon the Brunanburh Viking sculpture.

"At this occasion June met my mum – from Wirral’s second oldest family, the Stanleys - and the two got on like a house on fire".

In recognition for her great work for the community, in 2008 June most deservedly received the accolade of MBE from the Queen.

In 2016, more than 120 people attended her 90th birthday – all were entertained once again with her great wit and hilarity.

Last year she arranged a reception for the unveiling of a "blue plaque" to commemorate her husband Roger.

Her very final theatre trip was to the Neston Players this May.

She died peacefully on August 12 and leaves behind her sister Enid, her daughter Cilla, and elder son Scirard.