Author: The Boy Tom

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – December 2017

Well how are yu all a’doin then?

Well they arnt a’goin t’du it! I am a’talkin about the Parish Council a’knockin down the old bus shelter.

The Parish Council held their November meeting in the Church where that were talked about. There were a rare lot of Village Folk there un all. I recon the old Vica would like t’hev that many folk in the Church for a Sunday Service. I drawed down t’hev a look un all. The Police were there und they recon that knockin the Bus Shelter down were the last thing they wanted done. A’lot o’folk there stood up und hed their say. Some on um spoke about their children a’waiting in the shelter t’get the School Bus t’Watton. Other folk were a’talkin about gettin the youngsters in the Village involved in a’helpin on the Millennium Green. Another Lady spoke about them WI members who worked hard t’raise the money t’build the bus shelter in the fust place. Arter all this the Council Members hed a vote und most on um voted against the shelter bein knocked down.

I recon that the Council listened to what folk hed t’say, less hope sum o’them ideas spoke about in the Church cum to suffin.

I went t’Carra Rood with one o’our boys last Saturday (18th Nov) t’see them Canaries play Barnsley. Well Bor I don’t know why I went… if I had’a paid for mi ticket I would want me money back cos that wernt much of a game. Them Norwich boys din’t hev any go in um. They were a’walkin about und when they did pass the ball that were nearly allus acroos the field or backust. What they wanted were an old sheep dog a gettin behind them and a nippin their heels. I’ll tell yu suffin: the old pitch looked in good condition wi’a tidy grop o’grass on it. I say t’my boy what they want on there durin the week is get a few sheep on there t’graze it orf. My Boy, who’s 6ft 4ins tall, giv me a look just like his Mother gi me some times.

We seem t’be set t’hev a few sharp frorsts this week. That ull get them last few leaves down orf orf the trees. I recon that ull mean winter hev started. I hev been a’collectin the leaves und puttin them inta a couple o’gret old sacks . This time next year that’ll be sum nice compost that I can put on the garden. As I keep a few old hins this cold weather ull means them old Rats will be a sniffin round t’see if they can find anything t’eat. I hev caught five on um already this month so I recon there could be a few more. As I said once a’for the Almighty were supposed t’put all creatures on this planet for a reason. When I get t’meet him I’ll be a’askin him why he giv us rats….if I can I’ll let you know what he say.

There were a good turn out of folk for the Remembrance Service earlier this month at the Church. When somebody were a readin the names of the boys from our Parish who fell I were a’thinkin that we hev got a lot t’thank them boys for . That were good to see a young Air Cadet there a putting a poppy on the memorial cos thas suffin important that we never forget. We were a’standin in the road for the two minutes silence un there were one or two cars a stoppin rather than try t’drive through us. They put a gret old light a lightin up the tower with a silhouette of a soldier. Old mother nature din’t help by a blowin a gale which tried t’topple the soldier over.

Well we’ll soon be at the turn o’the year und folk will be a wonderin what 2018 hold for us all. One thing I recon we’ll be hearin about und thas BREXIT. They recon we already half way along to the date when we are spus t”leave the EU. Them up at Whitehall han’t made a lot of progress yet so they’ll ha a git a’goin arter Christmas or that’ll never be sorted out in time… I recon they could du with an old sheep dog behind them un all.

As this is the last time I’ll be havin a wud along with yu afore Christmas the Missus join me in wishin yu all a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – November 2017

Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether then?

I am a’writtin this on the day the clocks go back so that don’t matter what time I finish cos I’ll still git an extra hour in bed t’morrow.

Years ago when farmers were a milkin cows I knew one or two on um who din’t change the time they milked their cows. So if they started a milkin them at 5am duin the summer when them old clocks went back they started a’milkin them at 4am until the clocks changed agen in the spring: Then they went back to a 5am start. I remember a farmer din’t keep to a fixed time und he got leater und leater a startin in the mornin, du yu know what he did t’put that right…….he missed a milkin out!!

Them old cows like a regular routine. If durin the summer when they were out t’grass und yu allus got them f’milkin at 3 o’clock then when yu went t’git them they would be a’stantin at the field gate a’waitin for yu. Thas the same when yu got them into the cowshed or milkin parlour, yu ha’a keep to the same routine cos that would make the old cow release har milk when yu started a’milkin on har. If yu started a’messin a’bout then they(them old cows) would dunt let yu hev any milk.

Since I last hed a’wud a’long with yu the Missus und I hev bin over the water a’gin. Not with our caravan this time, we went und hed a look at that place with a lot o’water in har streets, Venice. We ha’a fly there and as sum on yu know I don’t like a’flyin. We ha’a have an early start cos our flight wus at 6am. When we got t’the airport I thought we hed come to a refugee camp cos there were folk a’layin about a’sleep everywhere. I say t’the Missus int anybody a’goin t’come und stir them up. She told me t’hold my row coss she recon they were folk who hed cum in early for their flights…….I still recon they wanted movin…..if I hed my old sheep dog w’me I’d a’soon hed them rounded up.

We were a’flyin w’that Irish lot so we ha’a check ourselves in…then we ha’a walk though a great old shoppin place, there were plenty o’folk a’sleep there und all. When we got onta the plane we had a job t’understand what any of the crew were a’sayin cos they were all from across the water. Cos we were a’sittin in seats next t’the escape door over the wing they cum und asked us if, in the event of an emergency, would we mind operatin the door so folk could git out, I say t’the Missus if we ha’a do that I know who’ll be fust out…….she din’t say anything thing…… she just gi me one o’har looks. Still they got us there und back alright und we hed a good time in Venice .

They tell me that the Parish Council are a’thinkin about knockin down the village bus shelter cos the Police recon thats a place where there is a lot o’any social behavour. There are sum folk in the village who agree w’the Police und there are folk who recon the bus shelter should stay where that is. That were paid for by the village’s WI ladies in 1970 und hev sheltered a rare lot o’folk und school children while that wait for the bus t’teak them t’ Watton. If yu read this afore the end of November und want that bus shelter t’stay then write a letter the Clerk of the Parish Council by 1st December. I recon if they du knock it down that’ll just move the anti-social behavour sum where else in the Village

Them boys up at Carra Rood hev bin a’doin well leartly, they beat them Tractor Boys. I saw my Brother the followin week und du yu know he dint want t’talk about the match…..I wonder why!!!! Then they went t’London did well against them Gunners. One o’our Boys went und he recon they (Norwich) were a’playin agenst twelve players , Eleven from the Gunners und the Ref.

I ha just bin und hed a look at sum hosses a’ploughin. They were a’warkin at a ploughin match bein held on one o’the young masters fields at the back o’the Hall. Yu could see them a’warkin next to a 200HP Tractor. There were sum good ploughmen there a’drawin sum rare straight furrows acroos the field. I recon I hed better git out inta the garden now und do sum diggin: I’ll try and keep a staight furrow wi my old spade.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – October 2017

How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?

Them old nights are a pullin in suffin quick now, that’ll soon be too dark t’git outside un du a bit in the garden arter tea.

I am nearly back inta full harness cos the operation I hed on my back hev nearly healed up. When we went t’see the nus tuther day she recon I could start a riddin my old bike agin. I were suffin pleased t’git back onta the saddle und start a ridin round arter mi pearper.

Since I last hed a wud along wi yu the Missus und I hev bin over the water w’our caravan. Them Nurses down at the surgery showed the Missus how t’re-dress my back every four t’five days while we were away. Du yu know what she ha’a put inta the wound t’keep it clean……seaweed. That dint look or spell like sea weed t’me but that seem t’be a’doin the job right enough.

We driv down France w’our caravan for 3 days till we were about 100 miles south o’Limoges. Thas where them Limousine Cattle come from . I see several on um a grazing in the fields while we were a’drivin along.

Where we stayed there were several caves t’go und look at. We went und hed a look at two um. The fust one we ha’a get inta a boat with six other folk and a young fella on the back paddled us acroos this here underground lake afor we could git t’the caves und at the other one we went to we ha’a get onta a little old train which took us a good mile inta the hill afor we got orf und started a’lookin about. I din’t say anything t’the Missus cos I dint want t’worry har but I were a’wondering how we were a’goin t’git out if the boat sunk or the train brok down??

Another place we went to were a goat farm where they meade cheese. When we got there there wernt meny folk about und yu ha’a hev a look round yar self. The fust shed we went into were where they kept the 400 milking goats. That were like a gret old cattle shud split inta several pens w’goats in .

My heart when we got in there my old eyes started a’stingin cos o’the ammonia in the air. I say t’the Missus they wan’t git some fresh air inta here. The goats looked happy enough a’eatin hay or lyin down chewing the cud. They recon that yu could look through sum windas t’see the cheese a’bein meade und the goats a’bein milked. The trouble was the windas were s’dirty all yu could see were shadows a’movin about. The Missus could tell I went very impressed by the place cos she recon I kept a mutterin. I did buy sum o’their cheese and that taste all right only the Missus keep a mobbin me t’finish it us cos that smell a’bit.

I’ll tell yu suffin we come acroos one arternoon when we were a’drivin up a little old country lane ,, we come round the corner und there were a shepherd a leading his flock of sheep along the rood with his dorg a comin along behind um. I did manage t’git a photo but only arter the shepherd hed past the car.

Well them boys up a Carra Rood seem to hev stopped goals bein scored a’gin um….all they hev got t’du now is start a’scorin them at tuther end o’the pitch. The trouble is them Tractor Boys keep a’winnin un all . My Brother keep on about it when we see in. I’ll tell yu suffin the Missus got him t’hold his row when she reminded him that Ipswich hev been in the same league for 16 years. One o’our Boys say “Nice one Mum”

Yesterday(26th October) when I were a’riddin my old bike along the footpath twix Caudle Springs und the Norridge Road I see somebody from County Hall hed put a notice up a’tellin folk that there were a Hornets Nest along side the path und to keep clear on it. I recon if somebody from County Hall could come out und put three or four notices up thas a pity they dint bring a scythe with um und cut some o’the nettles back. Cos folk are likely t’git stung by the nettles afor they git stung by any hornets.

Fare ye well t’gither und du yu keep a’troshin.

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – September 2017

Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?

They recon thas a’goin t’be an early finish t’the corn harvest this year? That were a rare early start und they hev had a good run at it although when I were havin a ride round tuther day I see that The Young Master up at the Hall hev still got a field or two of Wheat t’cut. I see they were a’sayin in the pearper tuther day that that han’t bin a bad harvest und they are a’exporting Wheat und Barley outa Yarmouth t’Spain cos they hev hed a moderate harvest cus that hev bin suffin hot und their corn crops hev just dried orf.

Since I last hed a wud along w’yu I hev bin laid up agin. I hev hed a abscess on m’back for sum time. The Doctor took a look at is a’while ago und recon that hant got a head on it so he recon that would be alright t’leave it alone. Well about 4 weeks ago I got bitten by a old Hoss Fly right on the abscess: that come up suffin big so I drawed down t’see the Doctor. He hed a look at it und recon I’d ha’a go t’hospital the next day t’hev it removed by local anaesthetic . So next day the Missus und I driv up to the Norfolk und Norridge Hospital. Two doctors hed a look at me und recon that were to big for them t’du so I’d ha’a cum the next day und hev it removed under a general anaesthetic, they recon they were a’goin t’put me on the “Abscess Pathway”!! und that I mussunt hev anything t’eat arter midnight. (I hed a gret old plate o’porridge a’for I went t’bed) un be there at 7am.

So away I go agin next day und hed the operation. When I cum round I were in gret old round room with a lot o’other folk who were a’cummin round from their operations. When I got back t’the recovery ward they recon I could hev suffin t’eat, so they gi’me a round o’toast und marmalade. In the middle o’the arternoon they recon I could go home. I got dressed und the Missus come t’fetch me. Just afore they let me go they tested my sugar levels(cos I’m a Diabetic) Well bor my old sugars were suffin high so they recon they ha’a do suffin about it afore they let me go. The Nurses let the Missus in t’see me although she ha’a sit behind the certain cos visitors arn’t normally aloud in the recovery ward. Arter about 3 hours they recon I’d ha’a stay in overnight. So the Missus went home und they rigged up a drip which they plugged inta my arm t’help bring my sugar level down. I got onto a ward at about half nine in the evening but I din’t git a’lot o’sleep cos they kept a’wakin me up every hour t’test me sugar levels, by next mornin they were down und I cum home.

I’ll tell you suffin that old anaesthetic din’t half knock the stuffin out o’me und that took me about a week t’git over it. The trouble is I arn’t aloud t’do any heavy liftin und carrying und I can’t ride my old bike. The Missus she’s a’doin har best t’keep things a’goin in the garden as well as lookin arter me. I hev told har not t’worry about them old weeds cos if they grow up a bit that’ll meake them easier for me t’pull out when I’m finally a’firin on all cylinders.

Well them boys up at Carra Rood arn’t a havin a’good time at the moment. I recon yu can’t meake that many charges to the team und expect them t’play well straight away. Thas a bit like when yu plant suffin in the garden, that teake that a’little while t’get a’goin.

The Missus und I drawed down t’the Village Church tuther evenin t’the concert. My heart that were a good du. There were a young Mawther there, she could’d half sing and there were some more local Mawthers who were good as well. The Church were suffin full o’folk und the Vica asked if we could all cum back to the service on Sunday. They hed a couple o’hosses there und they rid them inta the church through the West Door just like them Knights Templars did all them years ago.

They tell me that the village History group are a’puttin on a talk in the Village Hall on the 22nd September. They hev got sum chap a’commin along t’talk about Farming Today & Yesterday and how that hev affected the Village. The Missus und I are a’goin down to it so I might see yu there.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – August 2017

How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?

Well that old corn harvest seem to be a stop start one at the moment (last week July). Still them old farmers still hev a bit o’time for sum dry weather. What they don’t want t’du is t’hev t’turn the old corn dryer on that’ll cost money cos them old dryers burn a’lot of fuel when they get goin.

Since I last hed a’wud along with yu I hev bin t’one of them music festivals . No I dint go t’ Glastonbury though I did meet the farmer who run it a few year ago at a agricultural show. I went t’one in Suffolk at Jimmy’s Farm near Ipswich. Them Rare Breed Survival Trust folk had bin invited t’hev a stand ther cos Jimmys the RBST President. As well as havin a stand there they were having a competition to see who could produce the best sausage mead w’rare breed meat. Du yu know they hed 38 different sausages sent in from all over the country t’cook und taste. I wunt a’doin the tastin, they wanted me t’teake a few photographs that they could put on their web site und inta their magazine.

When I got t’Jimmys Farm the fust thing I see near the car part were several acres o’tents that folk were a’stayin in for the week-end. There were also several caravans there und all.

A’fore they started a’tastin the sausages I hed a look round. There a lot o’different Rare Breed animals for folk t’hev a look at, there were a circus that were a’puttin on several performances on the Saturday und Sunday. Then there this gret old stage that hed bin put t’gether for the music festival. In front o’this were an acre or two o’grass where folk could sit und listen to the music. Round this area there a rum lot o’food stalls e’sellin things I hed never heard on a’for; Was Pulled Pork when thas at home? I recon if I asked the Missus for that she’d gi me one o’har funny looks!!

I see Jimmy but he were suffin busy a’doin interviews with the BBC t’try und get more folk t’come through the gate. That were suffin leart when they got a’goin with the sausage tastin. There were 4 on um a’doin it. Arter about a couple o’hours they cum to a verdict about who the winners were. I were to busy a’teakin photos t’get a bite of any on um so afore I cum away I hed t’git suffin t’eat . When I went back t’the food stalls Chas und Dave were a playin und I hed suffin to eat I understood… Fish und Chips.

I’ll tell yu suffin else. When I cum home from Jimmys I found I were still a wearin one o’them wrist bands from the RBST. That say on it “I’m a Rare Breed” The Missus told me t’keep it on. I recon thas cos if she ever lose me she can tell folk t’look for an old fool a’warin a “green Rare Breed” wrist band.

Afore I got down t’writin this I see on the local TV programme a bit about sheep dog trials bein held nearby. Several years ago I helped w’one or two o’them that were organised by the Shepherd who used t’look arter the sheep on the Holkham Park. My job were t’let the sheep outa the pen afore the dog started it’s run. There used t’be several local shepherds a’takin part and they were good. Thinkin about the shepherd at Holkham reminded me o’the time I went t’see him und he took me t’see his dogs. He used t’train them for other folk und allus hed about 10 dogs tied up in an old cow shed near where he lived. When we got in there he told me not t’git to close t’one dog cos that were a bit savige und would bite. He got a talkin und I forgot what he said und stepped to close t’this here dog. Well bor that fanged hold o’my leg. Once he hed got the dog orf me I hed a look und he hed drawn blood on m’leg wi’his teeth. The Shepherd was only interested in where I got me’trousers from cos the dog hadant torn them when he hed fanged hold o’me.

Well the start o’the old football season is only just round the corner now. Norridge hev got the Fulham boys on the fust Saturday. They hant done to well against them in the past but perhaps this here new German coach will be able t’du suffin about that?

I’m goin t’suggest to the Missus that we teake our old caravan t’Jimmys Festival next year. for the week-end………… I’ll let yu know what har reply is.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin.

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – July 2017

Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?

I am suffin late a’writin this cos I hev bin suffin stowed up wi things t’du leartly. That all started at the’beginnin o’last month (June).

The Missus und I were supposed t’be a goin over the water for three weeks w’our caravan.We din’t go cos I were a bit moderate und got behind with a’lot o’things. When I were a’feelin better we hed a week away up North Norfolk w’the caravan. Old Mother Nature played har cards right weather wise although we hed one day when that rained suffin hard. We got about und hed a look at things twix Cromer & Holkham.

One o’the places we went to were that Animal Sanctuary at West Runton. My heart they hev a rare lot of animals there. Their got 1500 hosses und 350 head o’cattle. thas with-out the Goats, Alpacas, Pigs, Deer und Hins. The wuss thing was a readin how sum folk hed treated sum o’them animals afore they got moved to the Sanctuary. Why du folk keep animals if they are a’goin the treat them badly? We hed a look round und see that yu could adopt a animal. We could only adopt one so we adopted one o’the Shire Hosses there who’s called William. We were able t’see him cos he were one o’the hosses they kept a stable nearby so folk could see a heavy hoss.

Another place we walked up to were Beeston Bump. Thas right on the coast und were a bit of a climb but the view were worth it. There were several folk a goin up the path. I say t’the Missus if yu feel like stoppin t’get yar breath stop und pretend t’teake a photo so folk dont know yu are hevin a rest. She din’t say anything…….. she just gi me one o’har looks.

Since I last hed a wud along w’yu we hev hed the election……. that dint tun out the way they wanted? Thas a’goin t’be an uphill job for har in number 10 t’keep things a’goin und get what she want from these here Brexit talks. I recon that’ll teake sum time cos the other countries hev all got to agree everything between them-selves und thes more than twenty on-um!

I went to the Norfolk Show on the Wednesday t’help on the Rare Breed Survival Trust Stand, or as they called it now “Mr Mawkin’s farm. ( For them who don’t know Mawkin is the Norfolk wud for a Scarecrow). That rained the whol day: They tell me that 2.75ins rain fell on the show ground twix Tuesday aternoon und Wednesday aternoon. but there still a rare lot o’folk about. I recon a lot on um hed bought tickets afore hand. We were suffin busy. Fust o’all the Show Present come t’see us. She seemed a nice Mawther, they tell me she wark at Norwich Cathedreral, I nearly asked har if she could hev a wud with the Al-Mighty t’see if he could get the rain t’stop.

Arter she hed gone we hed the President o’the RBST cum t’see us. He’s that Jimmy Doherty who were on the TV with “Jimmy’s Farm”. He were with us the best part of’an hour. He spent a lot o’time a’talking the folk who were a’lookin a the animals we hed in pens und letting folk tek a photo with-un on their phones.

I’ll tell yu suffin , when I were a driving home from the show I see that the rain hev knocked down Barley, Wheat und Oil Seed Rape crops. Cos the ears o grain are heavy that’s be a job cum harvest time: cos that’ll lay there now until the rest o’the crop ripen und cos thas a lyin flat that ount dry s’quick as the standin corn. That’ll be a job t’harvest und if the rain when the corn is ripe them ears of grain on the ground could rot or start showing green shoots. Still harvest is still a little way orf although when I were out tuther side o’Watton this morning (5th July) I did see a combine in a field a’gettin set up ready t’start cutting sum winter barley.

The were a rare du in the Village tuther week-end. They hed organised a Village Festival. There were a lot’o information in the Church all laid out for folk t’look at und on the Saturday there were a lot o’stalls in the Village Hall. On the Millennium Green there were sum 2nd Word War lorries und some Fella who carve statues outa wood with a chain saw. He hed made a job on it und all. There were a another fella a sittin in the Church Yard a’makin axe heads outa gret old lumps o’flint. That din’t du t’get to close to him cos them old bits o’flint were a flyin about. He hed a look round the church und recon he could tell where the flints used t’build the church come from. He recon that the dark ones round the bottom come from Brandon way und the lighter coloured ones further up the walls come from a pit nearby.

The Week-end started on the Friday evening with the unveiling of a new Church Information Board. That were all drawn up by a fella who live in France.(He’s related to some one in the Village) He hed made a rare good job on it. I recon Carbrooke must be the only village in Norfolk t’hev a sign like it. They tell me he’s a’goin t’du another one showin the places o’interest in the rest o’the village.

This here rain hev made things in the garden grow suffin quick so I hed better stop a writtin und teake my old hoe for a walk round the garden.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a troshin.

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – June 2017

Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?

My heart thas suffin hot (last week May) we hev just hed a tempist so that might bring the old temperature down a’bit.
That must be a gettin hot corse I hev stopped a wearin me vest und me braces. The Missus she git suffin worried when we go out t’gether corse she recon that would be embarrassing if me trousers come down. I told har t’stop a worrying corse if my old belt break I hev got a bit o’binder twine (string) in me pocket. I told har I hed two bits o’string, one were red und the other were blue so I recon nobody would notice. She din’t say anything…….she just gi me one o’har looks.
Corse all this hot weather mean the farmers are a’having to irrigate their crops t’keep them a’goin. They used t’recon that only payed t’put water onto root crops like beet und spuds but ridin about I hev seen Barley und Wheat a’bein irrigated just t’keep the plants alive. They allus recon that suger beet plants should meet in the rows by the Suffolk Show (end May) and meet acrorse the rows by the Norfolk Show (end June). I don’t think thas a goin t’happen this year corse sum o’the beet I hev seen while a’ridin about will be lucky if they are a’meetin in the row by the Norfolk Show.

Thas a easy job a settin up them irrigating machines now. All they ha’a do is move the machine along the end o’the field und then drag the irrigation gun on the end of a gret old polythene pipe acroos the field und then turn the water on. While thas a’goin the water pressure slowly turn the reel on the machine which wind the polythene pipe back onta the drum and drag the irrigation gun back towards the machine. All the movin about is done usin a tractor. Afore these reel system come about yu ha’a move 30ft aluminium pipes with a sprinkler on a 2ft pipe a’stickin up a one end by hand. Yu ha’a hev enough of these connected up t’go right acroos the field. That wernt s’bad a’carrying the pipes acroos a level field but that were suffin hard when yu ha’a carry them acroos potato ridges. To keep them pipes upright arter yu hed moved them when yu hed connected the first pipe up yu tunned the valve on the feeder pipe open a bit so the weight o’the water kept the pipe in place. The trick wus t’just hev enough water a’running down the pipes so when you connected the last pipe ,with a end cap on, there were enough time t’git outa the way afore the pressure built up und the sprinklers started a warkin.
That used t’teak 4 hours t’put on a inch o’water onta the crop. So we used t’git 4 moves in a day. That ment a startin a 6 am und then moving the pipes by hand at 4 hourly intervals with the last move bein some time arter 6pm. Then somebody ha’a go und tun orf the water pump some time arter 10pm und then yu started again a 6am next day. Some farmers hed an electric water pump a pumpin the water from a river or bore hole but most farmers used a tractor t’drive the water pump so yu ha’a go and look at that the meake sure that din’t run outa fuel. During the early 1970s I remember a farmer told a student who were a warkin for him t’go und check the fuel und oil levels on the tractor a’drivin the irrigation pump. He went und cum back und told the farmer everything were all right: Half an hour leater the tractor seized up . The student hed checked the oil level while the tractor were runnin flat out in stead o’stoppin it so when he drew the dip stick outa the engine there would be plenty of oil a’showin.

I read that Norridge City hev appointed a German coach. They recon he’s the best man for the job. I recon there will be a lot o’cummins und goins a’for the next season start.

Cos all they seem t’be a’showin on the TV at the moment is about the election in June.
When yu watch them leaders a’bein interviewed they never answer the question und they tell yu things that they are a’goin t’du if they get elected und then forget about arter they elected. That remind me o’suffin I were told a few year ago. They reconned to be a good politician yu ha’a be able t’talk for 5 minutes about nothin while yu are a’thinkin o’suffin t’say.

Afore I go I hed better remind all on yar that there is a’goin t’be a 2 day event on in the village on the 31st June und the 1st July. There are a’lot of folk involved und thell be a lot a’goin on on the millennium Green und in the village Hall und the Church. They tell me they’s goin t’be the unveiling of a new information board about the church.
That all kick orf on the Friday night (June 30th) in the Village Hall, the bar will be open, when sum folk from the Village Heritage Group are a’goin t’be talkin about the history of the village. I might see yu there?

That’ll be the Norfolk Show durin the week afore the village du. I’ll be ther a’helpin on Mr Mawkin’s Farm. Thas where are the Rare Breed Livestock are . The Missus still recon I should be in a pen as she recon I’m a Rare Breed! If yu come and hev a look I’ll very likely be the one in a pen!

I hed better stop now cos if I keep a’runnin on I shall start t’sound like one o’them politicians.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – May 2017

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – April 2017

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – March 2017

Well how are yu all a’goin on?

Since I last hed a wurd along with yu we hev hed them gale force winds at the end o’February. They recon that were called Doris. Why do they ha’a give them high winds names? I know what I’d ha called it but that would be to rude to write down here.

When that started a’blowin hard our electrics went orf. I took the Missus to hev har hair done durin the arternoon in Watton , Their electric were on. The Mawther in charge wanted t’know if I would like t’go in und hev a cup o’tea which were kind on har. Our Electric din’t come back on when that got dark we ha’a use torches t’find our way around the house. The Electric come back on just as we were a’thinkin about goin t’bed.

Doris blew a tree down and that were a’blockin the road twix Carbrooke und Watton Green. When they finally got round t’movin the tree the telephone line come apart. That were a job t’get that re-connected. Every time I rung them up on my mobile I spoke t’somebody different , sum on um were in this country und some on um were in India. One on um recon they were a’goin t’put a call divert on so when folk tried t’ring us they were diverted t’my mobile . Well bor they made a right mess o’that. When folk tried t’ring our home number they got re-directed. The only trouble that wunt t’my mobile that were t’sum Lady who could not speak any English, and when folk tried t’ring my mobile direct they head the ringing tone but my mobile did not respond. That took about six phone calls t’get that sorted out.

Anyway that took 11 days before we were r-connected and now BT recon them folk who did not report the fault will not get any compensation! I recon there were sum 15 houses that were cut of for the 11 days. If some o’them folk din’t hev a mobile how were they suppose to report the fault?

Well I recon Spring hev arrived, although old mother nature keep a hullin in a few cold days just to let us all know that she can still change the weather if she want to.

Still thas good t’see things a gettin green und that meake yu want t’git outside und start a’doin suffin in the garden. The trouble is my old shoulder is still a’playin up so I arnt in full harness yet. I hev hed my old pressure washer out und hev cleaned the concrete und brick weave paths down, thas suprising how much dirt there is t’clean orf. As I said to the Missus thas best that stay outside rather than get carted indoors. The Missus do mob sometimes if I go indoors und hant cleaned my old boots or forget t’teake them orf. She hev even bought me a proper brush und foot scraper t’use.

The grass that hev a’started a’growin. I hev bin over it once with my old mower so the next job ull be t’get the moss orf und put some slits inta the ground t’help the drainage. I hev got one o’them machine that do that for me. That hev got a motor on it but I hev still got t’push it along. I’ll tell yu suffin thas easier than using a hand rake t’get the moss orf und using a four tined fork t’aerate the soil.

Thas all change up at Carra Rood. They hev got rid o’that young manager. I suppose that were a’goin t’happen cos the team hant been playin to well leartly. The trouble is once the game start the Manager can’t do anything apart from shoutin at um Another thing I recon is that the Manager was not much older than the players and that could meake it difficult for him(the Manager) to earn their respect. I remember what that were like when I became a Farm Foreman several weeks before my 21st Birthday. I dont know if that would apply t’football managers but the Principal at the Agricultural collage I went to recon that “you should never ask a man to do a job you cannot du, or hev not dun yourself”.

We hev just hed a Breckland Council election in the Village. That were because one of our Councillors were rude to a lady at a Hunt Meet in Yorkshire. I arn’t a’goin to repeat what he said cos that were very rude. When somebody is pointin a mobile phone at him you would hev thought he would have been careful what he said. I recon that were a case of him puttin his mouth in gear a’fore his brain. I hope a lot on yar went and voted cos unless you vote I dont recon you should criticise them who git elected. They tell me there is a’goin t’be NCC elections in May so we’ll ha’a turn out agen.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – February 2017

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2017 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – January 2017

Well how are yu all agettin on t’gether?

I am a writtin this but I don’t know how you will be a’readin on it. That might be in the New Penny News or that might be “On Line” what ever that mean.

Well Christmas und the New Year are behind us now. I recon we are all a’wonderin was a’goin t’happen in 2017. Still as my old father used t’say “The’ll Allus be a seed time und harvest no matter what old mother nature hull at us”. I recon the’ll be a lot o’folk who’ll be a wonderin what Mr Trump will be a hullin about once he get his old feet under the teable in the oval office. Closer t’home I suppose that’ll be all about them there BREXIT talks with them over the water.

The Missus und I got about a bit afore Christmas. We went t’Norwich Cathedral one Saturday night t’hear them Military Wives choirs a’singin. My heart they sounded lovely. Another arternoon we drawed down t’Cromer und went to the Christmas show what they were a’holdin at the end o’the pair. They recon thas the only end o’pair show a’runnin in the World. That were a good do: We were a sittin up stairs right in the font row, that were a bit of a’job cos you ha’a sit up straight t’see the stage over the low wall a’front of’our seats. The Missus she sit on har coat so she could see und as I’m a big old unit I could see alright un all. When that were half time I went t’git us an ice cream. They wernt a sellin any upstairs so I ha’a climb down the stairs und go and find a Mawther who were selling on um. By the time I found har I recon I hed walked to the end o’the pair und back. Arter the show were over we hed a word a’long o’the main man in the show cos he und I have done a’bit o’work t’gether at the Norfolk Show, arter that we went und hed a fish un chip tea und then hed a walk round Cromer t’look at their Christmas lights.

Another place we went were t’a carol service by candle light in Norwich. That were a job ,when we went in they give us a candle each that were stuck through a bit o’card board. A’for the service stated they cum round und lit the candles und then they tunned out all the lights in the church. Well that were alright for the fust hymn or two but by as time drawed on my old candle were a burnin down. Come the last verse o’the last hymn (O’cum all ye faithful) my candle sort’a set fire the the cardboard disc. Well bor I din’t know what t’du so I dropped it on the wooden floor und the Missus helped me t’put the fire out by stampin on it. There was a bit o’smoke und a few sparks but I don’t think a lot o’folk noticed apart from a couple o’mawthers standin behind us.

Talkin o’Churches und light did any on yar see the light on the tower o’our village church. That were a’showin the cross of St John. I drawed down one night und took a photo on it.
The Missus recon I would get arrested cos I were dressed all in black und were carrying a gret old torch so I could light up the church tower when I were a takin my photo. I din’t git arrested und I got a photo or two.

Well them boys up at Carra Rood he got plenty t’du. They hev won their last match (3-1) less hope that mean they hev tunned the corner. They say these a’goin t’be some cummins und goins durin January’s transfer window.

The farmers seem to hev got them old sugar beet out und away t’the factory. I driv past that there beet factory at Whissey on Christmas day. That were a going with clouds o’steam und you could smell that old beet pulp a dryin. What they ha’a do is make sure they get the farmers t’cart enough beet in t’keep a’goin over Christmas until they open the weigh bridges agin. That seem a’long while ago (the 1960s) when I were a’cartin beet inta the Bury factory with a little old 8 tonne Bedford lorry. I used t’teake 2 load a day, and the beet were all hulled on by hand.

Some Farmers will already hev sheep that are a lambin. But they ha’a be kept inside und till the weather warm up und the grass start a’growin.

That’ll be better when the old weather warm up so I can draw out inta the garden. At the moment all I ha’a do is feed my old hins und keep and eye out for any vermin (rats) that may start a working in my old compost heaps. They like a’gettin in there cos thas warm.

At least I only ha’a worry about rats: one o’our Sons he’s in America at the moment und he ha sent me a photo of a sign he see when he were out a runnin the tuther mornin. That were a tellin him t’be careful cos there were Snakes und Alligators in the area.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin

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2016 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – December 2016

Well How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?

Well thas another year nearly gan. Thas bin a rummun old year und all. Fust of all we hed them up at Whitehall a’tellin us how we orter stay in the EU und then we voted t’git out. that put them in change all of a muckwash cos they hant thought what t’du if we voted t’leave.

Now them over the water in America ha voted in a new President who them who know about these things recon hed no chance o’winnin. Still I recon that ull all git sorted out next year. That an’t alot o’good worrying about things, I read some where “You carnt keep trouble from cumin, but dornt give it a chair t’set on”.

Since I last hed a wud along with yu the Missus und I hev bin away in our caravan. We went und hed a look at the Peak District in Derbyshire. We driv over there on a Sunday und went along part o’the M1. My heart that rained suffin hard when we were a drivin along there. I kept a’slowin down but sum on um still kept a commin past as if that wernt a’rainin und they dint hev any lights on. I were suffin glad the git orf there. We stayed near the great old house called Chatsworth.

The day arter we arrived we went und hed a look round. We hed what they called a timed ticket so we ha’a go round with a whole crowd o’other folk. They hed trimmed the house out ready for Christmas. I hed a word w’one o’them helpers who where a standing in one o’the room t’meake sure you don’t touch anything or sit on suffin . He recon they du the whole lot in five days und that include cartin in twenty 25ft Christmas trees. They ha’a be a special sort that dont drop their needles.

We hed a walk round the gardens und see them a clearin up the leaves from under all them trees they hed got dotted about the garden. That were a job I ha’a git on with when we got back home. The trouble is that ha bin so wet und dawby that hant bin an easy job. I hev got one o’them leaf blowers so I can git all the leaves onta the grass und them I go round with my old mower und pick them up. That chop the leaves up und mix a bit o’grass clippins in. When yu put the whole lot inta a compost bin the grass heat up a bit und help the leaves to compost down.

I see they hev got one o’them Difibrilators fixed on the wall up at the garage on the Norwich Road. Thas good t’know thas there und they recon their easy t’use. If that save one life then thas well worth the money.

I see that BT are a gettin rid o’them red phone boxes cos folk arnt a’usin them now cos most on us hev got a mobile phone. I hear that the Parish Council hev bin asked if they want t’buy the one in the village near the Church. That’ll only cost them £1 the buy, I hope they do buy it.

Well them boys up at Carra Rood are a’lettin things slip a bit. Less hope their young manager can turn things around now soon. Once you get inta the New Year all the teams will be a’scrappin for points. At least they are well supported what every league their in. When yu watch some o’them games on the TV from the lower leagues all yu see are acres o’empty seats.

The Norwich Chairman is still a going (15th Nov) on that dancing programme. If them players put as much go inta their games we might see a win or two!!

As this is the December issue the Missus joins me in wishing you all a Happy und Peaceful Christmas und I hope to be hevin a wud along with yu in 2017.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin

Categories
2016 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – November 2016

Well how are yu all a’gettin on t’gether.

Since I last hed a wud along w’yu the Missus und I hev bin over the water agin. We hev bin und hed a look at Italy agin, only this time we flew there. I know I hev said I don’t a’like flyin but that were the best way t’get there.

We driv down t’Stansted t’get on a flight that took orf at 6 o’clock in the mornin so we hed t’be about early. M’brother,who fly a lot more than I do!, told us what we he’a du t’check in.

That were a goin all right until we come t’the security check. Yu ha’a teak all of yar things outa yar pockets, that were a good job I left my old pen knife at home. The Mawther in charge she made me teake m’shoes orf un all. The wust part was a’for you walk through that there body scanner cos I ha’a teak m’braces und belt orf me trousers.I han’t even got a bit of binder twine t’use t’hold um up. I went though that scanner suffin quick in case m’trousers started to drop down.

When we were a boardin the plane we got wrong cos they recon we should hev come on with the “late boarders” who ever they were.

We were a stayin at Sorrento. My heart that were a rare place for traffic. That took our bus over an hour t’drive through it cos the streets were suffin narra. Nearly every car I saw hed scratch marks down each side und there were scooters every where und they seemed t overtake the bus on both sides. I only see one car with uk number plates the whole time we were there.

While we were there we went und hed a look at that there Mount Vesuvius. They driv us up some o’the way in the bus und then we ha’a walk the last bit. The Missus din’t go but I went und hed a look. That were hard goin but I hed a stick t’help me along. When I got the top yu could see about for a fair way. I hed a look inta the crater but there din’t seem t’be much a’happening. There were a few puffs o’steam coming out’a the rocks just like a kettle a’boilin. That were a good week but we were suffin tied when we got home. The Missus recon we were the oldest folk on the trip! That meake yu think cos I din’t feel like one the oldest.

Just arter we got home I ha’a clean my old chickens out. I store their clean beddin in another little hen coop. I opened the door und started a gettin the new beddin out when there were a’lot o’buzzin und a rare lot o’wasps cum out arter me. I ha’a move suffin quick but not afore one on um hed stung me on the back o’my neck und another one stung me on the top o’my lug. The sting on my neck went down arter a day or two but the one on my ear caused that t’swell up. The Missus kept a puttin some cream on it but I ha’a go und hev a wud along with the Chemist. He gi’me some o’them Histermin tablets t’teake. They started a warkin arter a day or two but they meade me feel suffin funny.

Well them boys up a Carra Rood are a perchin at the top o’the league (16th Oct) Less hope they are still there come May next year. I recon there’ll be one or two ups unds downs afore then though.

Tuther month I were a tellin on yu how the land near the Ovington Road bridge hed been drilled with a crop that I thought they were a’goin t’plough in. Well that look like I were wrong, They hev put some electric netting round the field und tunned sum sheep inta the field. I dunnow how many there are cos yu can only see a few at a time when they get near the edge o’ther field. How they count them or see if one is ill, I say the Missus “I recon they fly one o’them little radio controlled helicopters over them with’a camera on” She din’t say anything………..she just gi me one o’har looks.

Well I ha gotta close now cos our two Grand Children are arriving soon und the Missu ha got sum jobs she want me t’du afore they get here. If that stay fine I’ll get them out inta the

garden so they can run about. Thas a good job I found them wasps cos I would’t want them t’git stung like I did.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a’troshin

Categories
2016 Archives Monthly Retrospective

The Boy Tom – October 2016

How are yu all a’gettin on t’gether?

I know I reconned we were a’havin sum rare weather last time I hed a wud along with yu but my heart alive the last few days hev bin suffin hot. (12th-15th September). I ha’a take my old braces und vest orf cos I hev bin a’gettin suffin hot a’doin nothin. That hev bin to hot t’get out inta the garden. The Missus recon that this hot weather is my fault cos I reconned tuther month if that got to hot I’d ha’a be like them French Farmers und not do any wark in the middle o’the day.

Well they done it….. them up at County Hall hev finally got round t’trimmin the footpaths back. The one twix Caudle Springs und the Norridge Rood they did the Monday the schools went back. The trouble is….as far as I can see……. there an’t any school children a’usin the footpath now t’get to the village school.

Last time I looked…. they han’t finished trimmin out the path twix Summer Lane und Mill Lane.

There hev bin a bit of a smell in the air leartly as they hev a bi a’spreadin some muck(farm yard manure) onta the stubble ready t’be ploughed in. That’ll put a bit of heart back inta the soil. The Missus don’t like the smell but I tell har you want’t teak a good old sniff on it cos that’ll clear yar lungs out……She recon she’d rather I driv har down t’the coast so she could teak a good sniff o’the sea air.

I see them who farm near the Ovington bridge are a growin a crop w’white flowers on… I recon they will be a ploughin that in as green manure. I remember years ago a sowin mustard seed inta the stubble arter harvest cos that grow suffin quick und then we ploughed that in as green manure.

Tuther day there were a farm machinery demonstration held on a farm tuther side o’Hingham. I drawed along t’hev a look. My heart there were sum gret old tractors a’warkin. One o’the tractor drivers he gi’me a ride in his cab. I din’t even ha’a sit on the mudguard cos there were a spare seat for a passenger. Well bor there a’rare lot o’buttons und levers in the cab and two computer screens for him t’look at. He recon that all he hed pressed a few buttons und put his foot down onta a pedal und the tractor went orf with-out him ha’a do anything else. At the end orf the field that even lifted the machine behind outa the ground und set it back in a’gen once he’d tunned round t’go back up the field agin. He recon the tractor cost £120,000 und the drill behind were another £72,000. Well bor I can tell yu that were an experience. Still thas progress for yu, I’ll tell yu suffin thas a lot easier than walkin behind an old Hoss all day.

Well them boys up at Carra Rood hev make a start tryin t’get back inta the top league agin.

Less hope we see them win more games than they did last season. Sum folk recon they orta hev spent sum more money on new players. At least they arn’t in the red like sum clubs. I recon sum o’them players arnt worth the wages they git. They orta be payed accordin to if they win, lose or draw a game. Still I spus that would mean they would be a divin about even more t’try und get another player sent orf or t’git a penalty.

I still recon they payed to much…. I sound just like m’Father… I can remember him a mobbin when, in 1961, Jimmy Hill got the clubs to drop the £20 a week maximum wage for players and Fulham were a’goin t’pay Johnny Haynes £100 a week.

I’ll tell you suffin, while I am a writing this thas a started rainin suffin hard und that look as if thas a goin t’keep a’goin all day. The Missus will likely recon thas my fault un all, still that’ll meake them old sugar beet grow a bit more even if the Missus cant get har washin dry.

Fare ye well t’gether und du yu keep a troshin