RE The article published in the Hampshire Chronicle on Thursday February, 26 written by Margaret Ailing regarding South Wonston.

The letter from Margaret Ailing in the Chronicle evoked many memories. I too lived at South Wonston. My parents purchased a small holding just after the war. 25 acres plus with a so called bungalow. No electricity and no water (only rain) for £500. I can remember it was hard work and yet in those days everyone just got on with it and made the best of things.

At the top of our track there was a little shop (just a room really) run by Mr and Mrs Norris. It’s still standing. Mrs Norris had suffered a massive stroke and was only able to use one arm and had difficulty in walking but she managed to continue to serve people.

Her husband used to milk their cow at the side of the track. He always had a dewdrop hanging from the end of his nose and I was fascinated by this, as I never, thank goodness, saw it drop into the milk bucket.

I often wished my children (now nearly OAPs) could see the fields and the hedgerows full of different flowers in abundance.

There were ‘local hops’ in the hall run by Peggy and Jack Taylor with Ted Taylor playing the piano. All the village teenagers enjoyed these evenings, then walking home down the track with no made up road or lighting but the sky was full of stars.

I’m sure that many of your older readers understand and agree that ‘Fings ain’t what they used to be’.

Joy Brown

Chesil Street,

Winchester

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