Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
6th August 2022
Childhood Memories
A friend sent me this last week and I thought it was just too good not to share. That’s my childhood right there – and probably yours too.
When I grew up our tea time was at the same time each day, if you missed it you went hungry. Sunday lunch was a roast – there was a choice – take it or leave it.
Eating out wasn’t heard of, take always were for special occasions and we only received a present on birthdays and at Christmas. There was none of this Halloween, Easter and ‘Congratulations You Have a Pulse Day’.
Fast food was fish and chips and having a bottle of pop from the shop was a real treat. As was an ice pop in hot weather.
You took your school clothes off as soon as you got home and put on your old clothes to go and play. Children looked like children, we didn’t pout or wear make up. There was no taking or picking you up in the car, you walked or rode your bike. Or didn’t go.
Our house phone had a cord attached, so there was no such thing as a private conversation. Ours was in the kitchen – with everyone listening in. Or you walked a mile to the telephone box with a pocket full of 2ps.
We had a box on the back of the telly, which you put 50p in for it to work. If the TV went off there would be cries of “Who’s got 50p?’ We had only 3 channels to watch. And we had to watch all of the adverts unless watching BBC.
We climbed trees, made mud pies, daisy chains, and rose perfume, which was quite simply disgusting. We rode bikes with flat tyres and no saddles.
There was no CCTV – we had neighbours who saw everything.
Everyone could play ball. Everyone could catch a ball. We used jumpers for goalposts and often had only a half-flat football. We skipped with two people turning long ropes whilst the rest of us lined up to run in and out.
Staying in the house was a punishment and if anyone dare say they were bored the answer would be, “You’d better find something to do, before I find it for you!”
We ate whatever mum made for our tea or we ate nothing at all. We never had bottled water – our drinking water came straight from the tap.
We watched cartoons on Saturday mornings, and played outside until dark.
We respected our elders and always said ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’. They were the ‘magic words’.
Fields of Gold
There has been a wonderful emergence of ‘Flower Fields’ over the last few years, with Rhossili Sunflowers, a sunflower farm managed by Rob Morgan possibly leading the way. Photos of acres and acres of cheerful sunflowers have certainly put the farm on the map. Flowers grown en mass like this, whether one variety or a mix of wild flowers, are just absolutely stunning as well as being an ‘all you can eat’ buffet for bees and other wildlife. I’m a huge fan.
Even in your own garden, insects will appreciate lots of the same flowers being planted in drifts, as it is much easier for them to forage – I think it’s much more effective visually too. The natural swathes of heather on the mountains are just stunning now with nature once again showing us how it’s done. There is something very special about these ‘flower carpets’, whether they are sunflowers, lavender, heather or even snowdrops early in the year.
This year Rhossili Sunflowers have expanded to two fields, a ‘pick your own’ field with thousands of sunflowers where (as the name suggests) you can ‘pick your own’ to take home and a second field that has their ‘sunflower trail’ which is just a treat to wander though and explore. Dogs are also welcome which is always a bonus.
Rob has constructed a huge, glorious sunflower archway complete with a wooden swing that is just perfect for photos to remind you of your visit long after your sunflowers have faded. And there’s even a little arch for your pooch to have their photo taken too. Just pawfect!
There is a lovely café to ‘refuel’ and the sunflowers are about at their best over the next week or so. And don’t forget to visit the stunning lavender field at Three Crosses whilst you are there.
Entry is £3 per person and Rob asks that you bring cash as the card machine isn’t as keen to please as the flowers are. Sunflowers are £1.50 each or £5 a bunch.
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Emma’s Flower Field is also now open in a beautiful spot near Llangorse Lake. You can explore the sunflower fields and pick your own blooms (including sweet peas), and have a wander through their sunflower maze before enjoying a picnic amongst the wild flowers.
The fields are adjacent to the Lake making it an ideal day out with lots to do on and around Llangorse Lake and a great café on site.
The flower fields are at Heol Hemley, Llangorse, Brecon, Powys and the What3words are objecting.parrot.subtitle – I still think that this location finder is one of the cleverest things ever! You can call 07538 130132 for more information or visit emmasflowerfield.co.uk
Opening hours:
Wednesday – Saturday 11am – 8pm Last entry 7.30pm.
Sunday 11am – 6pm Last entry 5.30pm.
School Holidays Weekdays 11am – 8pm.
Price £5 per person with under 4s free.
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And for one day only you can pick your own sunflowers at a ‘Charity Day’ at Maindiff Court Farm, Abergavenny, NP7 8AY today (Saturday). Open from 10 – 4 there is no set price for the flowers, you are just asked to make a donation. There is no need to book – just turn up. And there are no refreshment or toilet facilities on site, just lots of sunflowers and sunshine – and I suspect lots of smiles!
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And my favourite quote about wildflowers (also the name of my screenplay)
– “Like wildflowers, we must allow ourselves to grow in all the places people thought you never would.”
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