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MEMORIES OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

MEMORIES OF LIFE IN THE 40'S & 50's
William Evitts

I grew up in the village of Kilsby, enjoying the freedom of country life. Each month I attempt to publish a short feature on my memories of life at that time and attach great importance to the beauty of the Northamptonshire countryside and country life. It is published on our family web page at www.members.shaw.ca/evitw

My wife and I have both retired and live in Western Canada but our hearts still live in Northamptonshire.The following are two of my "memories" articles of life in Northamptonshire in the 1940's.

NOVEMBER
is remembered as a month where the mist that encapsulates the countryside creates an ethereal quality. Walking across the undulating fields of the Northamptonshire countryside, and with moisture from the early Winter rains, visibility is reduced (often to a few yards), natures colours are subdued, sounds are dampened, and the beauty of the countryside is lost to the invading mist.Nevertheless, the month was a particular time of adventure for the children of the village whose imaginations would be stretched by the mysterious environment created by the weather.

Apart from the wild rabbits who continued to scamper around, most other country creatures would hunker down while the mists prevailed. Cattle and sheep would gather in close company as if to establish a safe community against some unknown force, while bird life would remain unusually silent, as if to keep their presence unknown. The trees and hedgerows had all lost their lush summer foliage and emerged from the shadows of the mist as strange and stark sentinels hiding the unknown.

After a days adventure in the countryside, the village children would return home tired and bedraggled by the dampness, often with sore chapped legs caused by the chafing of dirty wet Wellington Boots which were an essential part of country living footwear at this time of year. Another factor was also high in the mind of the children. December was not far off, and with it the excitement of the celebration of Christmas and all that it promised to bring.

DECEMBER.
The gentle Northamptonshire countryside took on a magical quality at night, as it was lit by the icy blue light of the full December moon. The damp of November had left ample moisture in the land and the winter frosts covered the hedgerows and trees with its spectacular thick hoary coat. The heavens were illuminated with a myriad of stars that reminded us that we were not alone. Apart from the odd cry of a fox, all was silent across this broad swathe of the heart of England

In the village a group of carol singers would go from house to house singing their Christmas carols reminding us that the special day of celebration was not far off. During the early part of the month groups of village children searched the countryside for holly bushes covered with their bright red fruit together with boughs of fir trees to decorate their homes.

The contentment of village life was epitomized by the local community activities who created their own entertainment during this season. A village play, whist drive and dances were among the popular activities. This concluded on Christmas Eve by a nine carols and lessons service in the local church, to celebrate the Birth of Christ. The church would be packed with family groups who after the service would return home accompanied by their excited children speculating what Santa would bring them this year. English country life at that time was simple but very satisfying and is a million miles away from today’s hectic world.

My wife and I would enjoy hearing from our friends from the 1940's and 50's who remember us. Our e-mail address is evitw@shaw.ca