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