The Village of My Childhood

By: Fred Archer

Narrated by: Daniel Philpott

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

To Fred Archer, born in the village of Ashton-under-Hill in 1915 and growing up in the 1920s, nothing seemed to change except the seasons. This was the age of paraffin lamps, earth closets, and the last train from Evesham at 7 o’clock in the evening.

The village was a self-sufficient community with its own hierarchy, strong Church and Chapel, fierce politics, and home-made entertainment. But change was coming, and the motor car, wireless, telephone, and the service bus to Evesham cinema meant that village life would be changed forever.

Fred Archer’s anecdotes bring to life the lost village of his childhood, the eccentrics and the annual events relished by all: sprout-picking championships, village fetes, and racing down the slope of Holcomb Nap on sledges made from old cider barrels.

©1989 Fred Archer (P)2001 Isis Publishing Ltd

A wonderful, captivating and thought provoking story documenting our rural social history

This book will capture the imagination of anyone interested in rural life. It provides a ‘period drama’ for those who like a good historical story whilst offering a record of our times for those who want understand a bit about our heritage. The narration is clear and concise with good intonation and emphasis where required but perhaps not quite the ‘old Gloucestershire’ accent I would expect.