Brian and Ursula Kirby, a devoted couple who dedicated much of their lives to caring for historic properties as National Trust volunteers, have died within two months of each other. Brian was 89, and Ursula was 92.
Meeting and Early Life
They first met in 1959 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, where they were both in the audience watching the Count Basie Orchestra. They married the following year. From 1967 onward, when Brian began working for the National Trust in the Lake District, they lived in and cared for historic properties across Britain.
During their time in the Lake District, the Kirbys lived in Hooper's Cottage, which had formerly been owned by children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. Brian's job included selecting pieces from Potter's original artwork to display at Hill Top for visitors. He was also an accomplished painter, and every wall in their home was covered in artwork, including many of his own creations.
Life at Trerice and Clyston Mill
The Kirbys led a highly sociable life. They loved hosting family and friends for lively Christmas celebrations when Brian served as property manager at Trerice, an Elizabethan manor house in Cornwall, from 1987 onward. They threw themselves into life at Trerice, hosting lawn-mower rallies, theatre groups, and even a film production of Twelfth Night directed by Trevor Nunn.
In 2000, when Brian retired, the Kirbys moved to Clyston Mill, a National Trust water mill in Broadclyst near Exeter. Within two years, they had learned enough to get the mill operational and ran it as volunteers. They produced award-winning flour for 18 years until the mill closed in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
Background and Later Years
Brian was born in Blackheath, south-east London, as the only child of Fred Kirby, an estate agent, and Margret (née Mackenzie). After leaving school, he volunteered for national service and spent three years in the RAF based in Hull before returning to London, where he met Ursula.
Ursula was born in Bolton, the youngest child of Ursula (née Silk), a pianist who accompanied silent films, and Ephron Williams, a piano teacher. Both parents died before Ursula turned 11, and she was raised by her older brothers Brian and Phillip, and her Aunt Dolly. She attended Mount St Joseph's school in Bolton before moving to London and starting work at Colgate-Palmolive.
After their marriage in 1960, Brian and Ursula spent seven years in London, enjoying the jazz scene and volunteering at the local Oxfam shop in Blackheath. Ursula later became a civil servant and worked at the DHSS during their time in the Lake District.
Passions and Legacy
The Kirbys were passionate about politics, longtime readers of the Guardian, and marched in protest with CND. They attended the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival with their daughter, Emma, who was often cajoled into singing The Red Flag at social events. During retirement, they returned to volunteering for Oxfam at its Exeter shop, helping out regularly for 26 years. They were also devoted to their cat, Jonny.
Brian and Ursula are survived by Emma, the author's wife.
