1939-1945 – the war years at Single Lane, Cosford, Albrighton The patriotic reader might be forgiven for wondering why my grandparents were happily ensconced at their home Single Lane, Albrighton. What entitled such an insignificant couple to remain in the Shropshire countryside, growing and selling their own produce, during the second world war, during aContinue reading “Curly Toes”
Tag Archives: Shropshire
Bone Chin
1946 – Spike Joe Cool (1939 – present), Jay Cool’s father, of Single Lane, Albrighton, Shropshire Foolhardy. Spike, like his predecessor Humphrey Kynaston of Myddle, could only be described as the perfect embodiment of the phrase ‘bull in a China shop’. Spike, just like his mother Joan Cool of Albrighton, was forthright and fearless. And,Continue reading “Bone Chin”
Stone Toes
Joe Cool (1760-1833), Jay Cool’s Great-Great-Great Grandfather, from Myddle, Shropshire I don’t recall having too many conversations with my Grandad, Arnold Cool, as I spent most of my time during family visits to Single Lane, taking a wide berth around his armchair, for fear of my leg being grabbed and my footContinue reading “Stone Toes”
Feckless Fools: Part Four
Sir Humphrey Kynaston (1468-1534), Jay Cool’s 12th Gread Grandad & 15th Great Uncle, of Myddle Castle and Nescliffe Cave, Shropshire On awakening, bright and early, or more likely befuzzled and early, with a splitting headache, Lots-of-Greats Granduncledad Humphrey [1]needed a quick fix. What better than a ride into Shrewsbury for a little therapeutic impulse shopping atContinue reading “Feckless Fools: Part Four”
Feckless Fools: Part Three
Sir Humphrey Kynaston (1468-1534), Jay Cool’s 12th Great Grandad & 15th Great Uncle, of Myddle Castle and Nescliffe Cave, Shropshire My Great-Granduncledad-Something Humphrey Kynaston did, of course, do what all of my genes do best. He fled. Fled from his wife, his children, and his tumble-down castle [1]and his …. No, he didn’t flee from hisContinue reading “Feckless Fools: Part Three”
Back to the Myddle: Day Nine of an Ancestral Adventure
Back to the Myddle: Day Nine of an Ancestral Adventure Sunday. Sudbury. Sunday in Sudbury? Why not? ********************************************** “Yes, I there possibly is a cave”! advised the friendly shop manager in ‘At The Myddle’. “But I’m not entirely certain, because I’ve just moved in! I’ll ask around!” “Yes, there is a cave near here somewhere!” proclaimedContinue reading “Back to the Myddle: Day Nine of an Ancestral Adventure”
Back to the Myddle: Day Eight of an Ancestral Adventure
Back to the Myddle: Day Eight of an Ancestral Adventure Reclamation. Whether I be at home in Shropshire or in Suffolk is a dilemma that can only be solved by checking out my territory – by a full survey of my lands and properties. I can’t believe that I once stood in a classroom, zoning out theContinue reading “Back to the Myddle: Day Eight of an Ancestral Adventure”
Back to the Myddle: Day Seven of an Ancestral Adventure
Back to the Myddle: Day Seven of an Ancestral Adventure Shropshire. Suffolk. Shropshire. Suffolk. Where? Just where exactly do I come from? I was born in Shropshire. I live in Suffolk. And, in between times, I’ve lived just about everywhere else in the UK. Rootless. Rootless and a long way from home. A long wayContinue reading “Back to the Myddle: Day Seven of an Ancestral Adventure”
Back to the Myddle: Day Six of an Ancestral Adventure
Day 6? There is a Day 6, but I’m spending most of it back in my usual haunt in Suffolk, propped up on my bed (with a beautiful view from my window), recovering from yesterday’s eight-hour trip back from the Myddle; and, courtesy of my laptop, incommunicado with the love of my life – Ancestry.com! I do love Ancestry.com, and theContinue reading “Back to the Myddle: Day Six of an Ancestral Adventure”
Back to the Myddle: Day Five and a Half of an Ancestral Adventure
Back to the Myddle: Day Five and a Half of an Ancestral Adventure Roots. Take root or take a risk and brave the traffic for the inevitable four-hour route back to Suffolk? As I leave Myddle, I realise that my roots are elasticated, and they won’t give enough to allow me to hurtle away unhindered. Old Beezlebub gallops aheadContinue reading “Back to the Myddle: Day Five and a Half of an Ancestral Adventure”
The Silly-Savvy Salopian in Suffolk: read, believe and write ... 