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WALBERSWICK REMEMBERED
Over the years, there have been several articles, written for our modest publication, entitled 'Walberswick Remembered'. This is one in that series and I am greatly indebted to Richard for allowing me to twist his arm (gently of course!) so as to be able to add this particular piece to the collection.
The village has been fortunate to have had so many 'characters' in the past and I do hope that some of us, here now, can edge forward to join their ranks.
Ed.
Jimmy And The Toolbox
Many readers who have lived in the village for a few years will have fond memories of the lovably cantankerous Jimmy Meekins, who lived in dishevelled and oil-stained disarray at Rose Cottage. Despite his 'ancient mariner' appearance, and ownership of Melody, a black hulk of a fishing boat, Jimmy had not been a lifelong seafarer. For much of his working life he had been a commercial vehicle fitter, with particular expertise in diesel engines and the notoriously difficult-to-balance Bendix brakes fitted to many 1930s lorries. On several occasions in the Bell, he generously shared Bendix secrets with me and, if I had been a better listener, I might now be an authority on the subject.
In his later years Jimmy spent much time tinkering with his boat, nursing an unrealised dream (to the relief of most of us, for it was none too sound) that he would one day start taking it out to sea. The principal focus of interest for him, though, was its diesel engine, which would keep him happily occupied for two or three hours at a time. Occasionally, after a ritual dalliance with the injector pump, the old motor would be fired up with a rattling roar and a belch of smoke, and a good morning's work would be felt to have been done. On one occasion I had seen him walking down to the river and was surprised to meet him returning only a few minutes later. Light conversation was not encouraged, but it seemed that when he had heaved himself aboard he had tripped over his toolbox, and all his spanners now lay in six inches of muddy water in the bottom of the boat! Each noun in Jimmy's explanation was accompanied by the same adjective, which the reader may insert or leave omitted, as preferred.
Richard Scott
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Fitness
Sessions begin again on Tuesday 5th September at 10 a.m. in the village hall.
Participate in an hour of stretching, full body workout and relaxation, all to music. Come and enjoy the variety that Yvonne Proctor puts into these sessions: enjoy the friendship and feel the buzz of adrenalin.
Everyone is welcome.
Jenny Cardwell
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Village Hall Fundraising Events
The Ceilidh, which we held in June, was a great success again this year. Everyone enjoyed rushing round trying to keep step with the band 'Spit and Polish' and by the end we had raised £730. Thanks to Pru Ford-Crush, Jenny Cardwell and all her helpers for organizing such a splendid event.
Eric and Shirley-Ann Humphries held a bridge evening last month and raised a further £80 for the Village Hall Funds. Many thanks to them and finally, going to press, we have cleared at least £150 from screening the World Cup on the new projector, which is of cinema quality. We now have a satellite dish and the ability to screen other events in the future. Thanks go to Philip Kett for organizing the whole thing and to Piers Ford-Crush for running the projector and, again, to all those who helped so much.
Mark Aldridge, Chairman, Village Hall Committee
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