Farewell to Miriam, a true star (From Barry And District News)

Farewell to Miriam, a true star

ONE of Barry's finest entertainers has died at the age of 90.

Miriam Washburn - known as Mim - died on Valentine's Day, which was the date of her late husband Leonard's birthday.

Mim had been ill in hospital for two months, but according to her daughter, Ellie Kingdon, she died peacefully.

"I knew my mum would pass away on Valentine's Day," said Ellie.

"She's with my dad now, and they can celebrate his birthday together.

"He died in 1975, and she missed him so much. I'm so happy they're back together.

Mim was born to Ada and Reginald Gardiner in Barry on August 27, 1915. She had brothers Len and Lionel, and Little Reggie, who died at a young age.

Mim had two children herself, Graham and Ellie, whom she adored. She had a brother and sister-in-law Lionel and Teresa, a son-in-law, Barrie, and three "wonderful" grandchildren, Paula, Jacquie and Lee (Bubbs).

Mim was great-grandmother to Louise, Jenny-Leigh, Jemma, Ellie and Harri, and great-great-grandmother to little Connor.

From an early age, Mim's parents realised that she was a talented musician. She could play by ear as well as read music.

"She started playing the piano as soon as she could reach the keyboard," said Ellie.

Mim played the piano for silent movies in the local cinema in her early ears. She also played at the Unity Hall in Broad Street, Hilda Gill's dancing school, numerous balls and dances, the Officers' Mess at RAF St Athan, and most memorably at Bindles Ballroom.

Mim met husband Len in the 1930s when his Royal Marines ship, HMS York, was docked in the port of Barry. Like Mim, Len was an extremely talented musician, and he played in the Royal Marines band.

But their relationship got off to rather a slow start with Len being away at sea for long periods of time.

Ellie said: "He was a very romantic man, and fell in love with her instantly. He wrote her the longest love letter you have ever seen - 174 pages - while he was away."

Len proposed to Mim behind a cinema in his home town of Gosport, Portsmouth, when he had left the Royal Marines. She accepted straight away.

The couple lived in Slough for a while, then settled in Portsmouth. But during the war Portsmouth suffered badly, so they decided to move back to Barry.

Ellie said: "One incident my mum always remembered, while living in Gosport, was when my dad was cycling home from work one day and she was waiting for him at the gate. She realised that a German plane was flying low and chasing him up the road, so my dad threw his bicycle down and jumped over the nearest fence, narrowly missing being shot."

Back in Barry, the pair set up their own orchestra, The Miriam Gardiner Orchestra, with Len on trumpet and violin and Mim on piano. They played at venues all over the town, and became extremely well known.

Mim worked at her brother Len's music shop, Christopher's in High Street. She provided valuable advice to customers who were purchasing records and sheet music.

Mim remained at Christopher's for many years, and eventually son-in-law Barrie took over the business.