Light up the Skies over Berkswell xxx
Hi there
Thanks for popping in. On this eve of Bonfire night, I was thinking about a particularly special bonfire evening a few years ago, when we were working up at the NEC. We always used to stay on a farm with a wonderful lady called Norma. Do love that woman. Think of her often – and with good reason ! Let me tell you a story…
Whenever we stayed at her B&B in Berkswell, about 5 miles outside NEC, there was always a particular piece of artwork on our wall, which I loved. One year we rocked up, and the picture was gone! “Norma! Where is the lovely picture that was always on this wall?!?” I asked. “Oh we painted the room and I took it down, because it didn’t really fit, and I put it in my room”. “I loved it” I told her. She shot off, and two minutes later, reappeared with said picture. “I’d like you to have it” she said, and despite much resistance on my part, I left the farm that year with a lovely picture, which now hangs opposite where I sleep. So every morning, as soon as I open my eyes, I look at the picture – and think of Norma. Let me pop upstairs and take a pic of the pic…
Isn’t it perfect? But I digress. Back in 2016, we were there at the NEC in the November as always. Huge stand. Make n takes, demos, lots of staff – it was a big affair. Four days of hard collar, sandwiched by intense set-up and breakdown.
On the Saturday evening, Norma invited us to join family and friends at the big bonfire they always organised. What a privilege…
Here’s Norma…
It was an evening to remember. Neighbouring farmers and friends from the village started rolling up in their landrovers and pick-up trucks, Tim (Norma’s son) started up the fire and the men made a huge wall of hay bails with his tractor and muscle, for us to all sit on around the fire. Norma and the women ferried baked potatoes and sausages from the farmhouse on huge industrial size baking trays, and started serving piping hot food to everyone. Then came the flasks of tea and homemade brownies. And that was it. Nothing extravagant, but amazing effort and teamwork. A bunch of friends and neighbours gathering together, for a meal and a beer. And we were allowed to be part of it. It was like entering into a different world, after the windowless, air-conditioned drone of the NEC hangars.
I don’t miss the NEC at all. But I do miss Norma. I wonder if they will be getting together this evening. Maybe I’ll give her a call and just check in on her. She is one in a million.
Love always
Barb x x x
20 thoughts on “Light up the Skies over Berkswell xxx”
I remember those bonfire nights so well, roaring fire, great food and great company. Set us all up for the Sunday and the stand breakdown xx
Lovely blog ! good times ! X
I wish that everyone could recognise that it’s not the “stuff”, but the moments that are life’s true treasure. Thank you for sharing this story and memory x
How beautiful a story, just so happens that tomorrow evening we will join our neighbours for a little display in the garden with our wonderful view of everyone’s displays over Edingburgh. I’m making brownies and hot chocolate with wipped cream and marshmallows for the two girls. It has become a bit of a tradition in this house. No matter the weather we stand watching and chatting and making memories. I’m so glad to have lovely neighbours. This homes views are more precious than the house and its contents. It’s the people and the views.
Thanks for sharing Barb.
I miss my Paternal Grandmother who always had a story to tell, just like you she had many fabulous ones to tell around the fire.
T.xx
What a lovely memory! loved the picture too!x
Simply brilliant xxx
What a lovely story – I totally agree it’s not fancy food and trimmings that make the memories. Norma seems like a very kind hospitable person. How wonderful to wake up to that beautiful piece of art that was gifted.
I have my grandson this evening so I’m happy.
Enjoy whatever you have planned. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s shows.
What a lovely memory of happy times with friends. I am frightened of fireworks (still). I was born in Hong Kong and the Chinese use very very loud fireworks for their celebrations, especially New Year. I used to hide under the table. Can’t hide under tables any more but the fear is still there but now it’s thunder and lightening.
How lovely Barbara. My lovely Mum was born in Berkswell when her parents had the little shop there, going back to 1923. Have some treasured memories of visiting the village as a child. I have a lovely book all about the village through the ages which includes a picture of my Gt Grandad
What a beautiful picture! Love the tradition too. Our children and their cousins used to spend hours on Saturdays getting the bonfire as big as possible ready for bonfire night party. We did teach them to move it all again before lighting to give wildlife a chance even then. Costs so little to make great memories. Happy days! Now..to find thursdays shac Shack! Xs
Having just left Edenbridge to go to Home Bargains l saw that they have many roads closed off for the fireworks tonight.
Best fireworks for us have to be in Disney as therr just WOW but both of us have memories of fireworks ( in metal boxes as per Blue Peter) jacket spuds, popcorn, apple bobbing and sausages.
Lovely story and lovely picture -not unlike the stamps, stencil and die of houses that you make. They could be made into a similar picture?
I used to enjoy the bonfires we had as children when we had sparklers, and pretty but not loud fireworks. Like you, we roasted potatoes in the embers and had special cinder toffee (homemade of course).
These days I dread November and feel for the poor animals, indoor and out, who are terrified of the extra loud bangs that have been developed.
We’ve had dogs that have literally wet themselves with the fear. Our present boy is more sanguine fortunately and sleeps through them, but I do so hate the noise and what it does to animals (and some people!!)
What a great story. It brought back some memories of long ago, before my 74 year old sister was born. My Grandad built a HUGE bonfire on the adjacent greenery and the uncles handled the fireworks and roasted the chestnuts and jacket potatoes. Nan made a humongous trifle and hot cocoa. The aunts did the serving for everyone. A few neighbours came with their kids. Those were wonderful days but sadly it all stopped. I never found out why.
Have a good evening.
Lovely memories to look back on & agree about the picture. Love a nice bonfire but not keen on the loud fireworks. Sparklers are more my thing !! along with baked potatoes & hot dogs x
Hi Barbara
Great memories you both look relaxed and happy. Being brought up in London in the 60’s and having lots of siblings we were sent out to do “penny for the guy” being one of the youngest my brothers just put a mask on me and sat me in the pram as the guy🤣🤣 . Happy times.
Love
Ruth and Jackie xx
Love those photos Barbara – you can feel the warmth and joy in them! I’ve got the cats safely tucked indoors tonight, although not so many loud bangs so far (probably down to the heavy rain we’ve got). We’ll see what tomorrow night brings…
on that note, really looking forward to tomorrow’s shows. Safe journey to the studios xx
Hello Barb, thank you for sharing such lovely memories with all of us. There is nothing nicer than spending quality time with friends and special people. Norma sounds definitely like one in a million. Bx
Yes the nec not the same anymore big companies don’t go now!
I got to know Norma Barbara as my friend worked with her many years ago at an equestrian shop. We all had horses. I live in the parish of Berkswell. It was fabulous to hear your memories of a kind, calm gentle Norma. Sue xxx
Just catching up.
I also have wonderful memories of bonfires on our farm.Baked potatoes sausages and all the family and friends. We would put a guy on the top of the fire remembering stuffing it with straw and old paper.
Thank you for bring my memories back, while I read your blog. Norma sounds the perfect person to stay with Happy memories all round.
Playing catch-up with your blogs, and shows.
Still away on our trip, now moved to Bali.
Hope the ride was good in Paul’s shinny new car.
Did I miss what it is.
We have a new/ old car waiting at home to go out for a ride in it’s a 1952 Old MG F not sure if I have got that quite right, Mike’s pride and joy, that’s good because I will be able to purchase the new set of Linda’s tiny stamp your show casing.🤣🤣🤣.
Take care cherish the memories there special. xxx