‘Lamb’s Tails for Breakfast’ was the title of a little booklet, only some 28 pages long, which the late George Wood and I published as long ago as 1979. It sold well and today copies very occasionally appear on the internet, to sell at many times the original price. The good news is that Jane and Dave have decided to publish an updated version that brings George’s story up to date.
All of the original text is there, untouched and in George’s own words. Indeed it would be a crime to interfere with his simple, direct, tell it as it is approach. It sets out in 65 pages the story of his own life, as a lad from a poor background, growing up in a small village in the nineteen twenties and thirties. In his own inimitable style he tells us of the hardships, of the good times and the bad, of the village worthies, the gentry, and the tradesmen and women.
Children’s games like tippit and run, French cricket, and tracking are recalled. He takes us ‘scrumping’ in local orchards, with the inevitable consequences! On a more serious side he takes us through the hand to mouth lives lived by many folk, with food often scarce, and how they made do at these times.
Of how a serious illness in the family would reduce them to privation level. The often physically demanding work around the village and especially on the farms, is recalled in detail. The meets of the local Pytchley hunt, and how it impacted on village life are described.
But above all his story is one of optimism. In his simple language he paints a picture of a village community, of a way of life, that has vanished forever into the mists of time. At times hilarious, at others deeply moving, his is an account that deserves to be read. One of my favourite passages, one that still brings a tear to my eye, is of an intinerant watchmaker, who used to call on them.
The new edition has an 18 page introduction in which I tell of how George and I met, how we came to realise that we were quite closely related, and how a close, brotherly friendship developed between us. His training as a highly skilled stone mason are mentioned. But above all his days as warden in charge of the giant Pitsford reservoir trout fishery, and how he helped develop it into one of the best-known reservoir fisheries in the land. A whole new raft of very special characters drift in to and out of his ken, and once again the humorous side of life takes centre stage.
Finally, when he had become a pensioner, this life-long batchelor, as is seemed, meets up again with a childhood sweetheart, and after a whirlwind courtship that would do credit to Mills & Boon, they marry and share a precious few years together. In an incredible sequence of events I tell how the final act I was able to perform for my dear old friend was to stand in for the devil at his funeral!
The book is well illustrated in colour, and with some of George’s own drawings. A limited number of copies are available only from us at £5.99 which includes postage and packing. Order your copy now, cheques to be made payable to Brian Webster or visit our e-bay shop, just follow the link on the home page.