Precious Memories!

A Memory of Menithwood.

Some of my most precious memories of life belong to Menith Wood. My parents bought a caravan where we had many happy times on the “Bird in Hand” public house caravan site, opposite the woods. I remember feeding “Thomas” the boar, the wonderful walks with my parents and dog around the woodland. I picked wild flowers and could identify each one.
At the age of 10, I was driving my dad’s car around the site…( I went on to win a car rally in France in later years).
We were all so happy and often went into the pub, where my cousin Margaret and I listened to the juke box with a Vimto and a bag of crisps.
When the pub was about to close, my dad, Fred Powell bought another caravan which was sited on Bill Bradley’s farm in amongst the plum and damson trees. He then used to go to the “Cross Keys” pub where many a happy hour was spent.
As I got older, I was allowed to stay at the caravan with friends. We used to buy Spring Onions from Mr. Fumarola at Claywood Cottage and Margaret and I used to trim and dead head his precious blooms in the garden and actually went in a truck with him to the Mamble show, where he won many, many prizes for his produce and blooms. This had quite a big impact on me as later in life I studied Floral Art and entered many flower shows around the country.
Margaret and I re-visited Menith Wood about 10 years ago to try and recall some of the happiest times in our life.
We were friendly with Tino, Frank and Nick and often talk about those wonderful days……….

---

---