Visiting Grandma And Grandpa

A Memory of North Nibley.

My grandparents lived in this village, or rather in the lanes round about it. The Tyndale Monument, which we referred to simply as 'The Monument', was accessible only on foot, and in those days was all sealed up as it was considered dangerous. More recently it has been renovated and can now be entered, giving a wonderful view over the Severn Valley.

My grandparents were always a delight to visit. When I first remember, which would have been in the mid-1950s, they kept nine cats and a number of chickens, from which we would collect the eggs which were sold locally. The chicken run was of great interest because it contained an old car set up on bricks for us children to play in. It was especially exciting because it was the same make and model as the car my grandpa used to drive (a pre-war Morris 10, I believe). Every time we went out with him I would watch his actions carefully, so I could then practise them in the old car in the chicken-run. Woe betide any child who left the doors open and let the chickens in, who would then leave their mess (and their eggs!) in the car.

The nine cats all had their own characters (as cats do). One would doze under the car (the real one, that is) for warmth, and would only move when someone started the engine. As the car was an old model and would drip oil from the sump, it was a dirty and greasy cat who finally emerged!

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