Jean Tweedle, of Ponteland, Newcastle, reflects on her memories of a childhood in nature

The beautiful article by Mike Pratt in The Northumbrian issue 180 highlighting the benefits of the younger generation’s exploration of nature brought back memories of exciting nature walks and outings in my childhood and teen years. My sister and I were extremely fortunate in spending several years living in a tiny hamlet in Scotland. Quite nearby there were fairly extensive woods which were a magical kingdom to enter. My father, who was an excellent artist, was equipped with sketch book and pencils and we had our own little pads too. Every day, in all weathers during the holidays, we were “off to the woods”.

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Barbara Brown, of Camberley, Surrey, who sent us this poem, writes: I have had this poem for more than 30 years and I feel it must be more than 50 years old, and felt it might be interesting for your readers…

The fight for the short-shanked shull

Ye’ll hev hord aboot strikes and wars and the likes,

Ye’ll hev hord about “Blackoots and Knockoots”,

But aa’ll tell ye a tale that’ll turn ye all pale

It’s the tale of a Colliery Lockoot.

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