philmayfield

I went to school in Bulwell with boys from Hucknall, Eastwood, Awsworth, Kimberley, Stapleford and Arnold. Because I came from Woodthorpe and spoke proppa I had the mickey taken! Made me Nottinghamshire polyglotic though!

Even before immigration you would hear little recognisable English in Mansfield!

I could leave it to go completely wild but it flops over and gets matted. I think taking a crop of hay each year makes for better land management. I can use a scythe but it would take weeks to cut and probably kill me in the process!

Yes, they’re mainly townies in our village now. Most of the true rustics are very old and are a dying breed. We’re just a commuter village now with very few agricultural workers. Some people even commute from Newark to London daily. People have gardeners and cleaning ladies, floodlit houses and electric gates. I’m glad that we’ve still got a few acres to live the rural idyll but I doubt I can physically manage the upkeep for much longer. A nice man with a big John Deere came to cut the hedges last week. That’s one job I can’t do but I think we’re going to have to turn our wildlife meadow into

You’ve probably picked up the Lincolnshire/Fenland brogue. It’s quite similar round here in the indigenous agricultural communities. Can’t understand a bloody word they say! It’s all oo’s and arr’s. I unconsciously adjust my speaking to the people I’m with. I suppose that can be deemed to be condescending but I think you’ve got to be at ease with people and don’t come over as a pompous bastard (which has been said!)

I’m sure you never needed to Margie. Arno Vale was in Woodthorpe, we all talked posh there.

Whan that Aprille with his shoures shoote? Really - in Mansfield Market - c’m on!

There wasn’t. He was just a parody!

We were taught at primary school to avoid the use of the word ‘got’. I think the expansion into ‘gotten’ would have sent the teacher apoplectic. Very much teaching of the time though. Quite a few of the posher kids in the class used to have elocution lessons ‘to lern them to tork proper’.

Yes, but they’re not the real Laurel and Hardy. I heard that the real ones died a while ago.

It's just that I've never been interested in popular culture.

I've not been to the cinema in 55 years. I hear they've got talkies now!

112 lbs in an imperial cwt.

We were great goers to folk clubs back in in the 70’s but have never been to the Co-op one. Our prime venues were the Wheatsheaf at Cropwell Bishop, The Rutland Arms at Newark and the Reindeer at Southwell. All were well attended and lots of ale was consumed. There were some very good semi pro performers and floor singers from the audience were always welcome. Although I could play a mean folk guitar, I never had the nerve to perform. I suppose I should have done. Most of the singing was done through the nose in a monotone and we all joined in the chorus. Happy days. It seems to have died out

25 kg is the recommended weight for a man to lift. 16 kg for a woman. Health and Safety! Quite sensible really. I can barely lift 25 kg now but my wife is used to stacking bales of hay with no problems!

Being close to the Trent it's very noticeable how much cleaner it's become in my 56 years in the area. You can now stand at the side and see the riverbed.

I think that sums it up pretty well Ben!

It just takes far too long to get through the thick heads of the people who purport to run this country. No one seems to have an ounce of dynamism. I could never have run a business the way this country is operated.

Yes, l carry one in my car emergency bag, which never seems to get put in the car!

Did you collect the yellow vest on the way out?

No, one of his interests is archery. That's how he got the drone down from the poplar tree! I now have the parts in stock to replace the damaged ones on our next visit!

That's useful info, thanks. Coincidently my son lives in Lancaster.

Son had Parrot Mambo. I'm looking DJI Mavic air.

After years of trying they've almost got him. Great news!

Only if over 250 gms though.