Born and bred in Beaconsfield I was Enid's paper and butcher's boy and still have 11 first edition Noddy books she personally signed at a local book fair. I can still remember her vividly although all tradespeople had to go to the back door of her house, Green Hedges in Penn Road.
BarneyBarney says:
Wow - it's lovely to hear from you, Phil, and to read about your connection to Enid Blyton! If you have any more memories to share, you'd be very welcome to write an article for our thrice-yearly Journal as any memories of Enid are of great interest to readers.
Julie2owlsdene wrote: ↑23 Mar 2022, 11:00
It was nice to read on the Home Page, from Phil, who wrote in on the 20th March, that he was once a paper boy and butcher's boy for Enid Blyton, when she lived at Green Hedges, and the 11 books she signed for him at the local fairs. I do hope he takes up Barney's suggestion and writes an article for the next Journal, as it would be so lovely to hear about his time living in Beaconsfield, and seeing the 'great lady' herself.
Yes I totally agree Julie - It would be marvellous to hear more from Phil.
Last edited by pete9012S on 23 Mar 2022, 19:18, edited 1 time in total.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane - Society Member
When did Enid write about Sid the paperboy? Could Phil have been a template?
Is he partial to blancmange? Was it blancmange?
Am I losing my memory? Why did I come into this room?
Have you seen my glasses?
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane - Society Member
Gosh, an article from Phil about his memories of Enid Blyton would be fascinating, so I hope he sends one.
If memory serves me correctly I think Sid the paperboy was partial to chocolate mould...I should remember because I posted a question about it a few months ago as I had no idea exactly what chocolate mould is!!! However, I am not 100% sure except for the fact that it was chocolate something!!!
Yes it was chocolate mould. What a great read it would be to hear from Enid’s paperboy. Hopefully Phil will tell us more.
"What a lot of trouble one avoids if one refuses to have anything to do with the common herd. To have no job, to devote ones life to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world. - Cicero
I would love to hear about Phil's experiences delivering to Enid, too.
I was a butcher's boy back in the 60s when I was at school. I had a bike with a basket in front, I worked on Saturday mornings. I would spend £1 of the money I earned on four Armada paperbacks. They were the first books I ever owned.
I didn't have any famous customers though.
You must have had a brilliant time choosing your four books each week, John. Do you still have them?
When we were children, my sister and I were full of excitement whenever we'd saved up enough money to buy several books at once. As well as giving us hours of reading pleasure, they inspired many of our games and activities. That applied to a number of authors but especially Enid Blyton. I still have most of the books I bought back then (mainly Armadas, Dragons, Knights, Piccolos and Puffins).
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Unfortunately, I only have one of the books I bought back then, Treasure at the Mill by Malcolm Saville. The others eventually fell apart from constant use, the binding was very poor.
I chose mostly Enid's books and a few Savilles. I really ought to write an article on this as I can remember vividly the display in WH Smiths where I bought them.
Does anyone remember Cornish Cream by John Denton or Saracen's Tower by Ralph Hammond? I had those, they were early Armadas.
A super rare book by one of my favourite authors John.
As you well know, he is better known by his full name of Ralph Hammond Innes - or just Hammond Innes.
I have Cocos Gold - It was quite a long time before I realised he wrote books for younger readers.
His wife's travel books (Dorothy Hammond Innes) are a wonderful read too, if you can track them down!
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane - Society Member
John Pickup wrote: ↑24 Mar 2022, 16:59
Unfortunately, I only have one of the books I bought back then, Treasure at the Mill by Malcolm Saville. The others eventually fell apart from constant use, the binding was very poor.
I chose mostly Enid's books and a few Savilles. I really ought to write an article on this as I can remember vividly the display in WH Smiths where I bought them.
Does anyone remember Cornish Cream by John Denton or Saracen's Tower by Ralph Hammond? I had those, they were early Armadas.
I've still got my copy of Cornish Cream by John Denton, in fact I've still got many of my old Armada books. Like John Pickup's they did fall apart from constant use but when I went to work in public libraries I was sent on a book repair course so I disassembled them and glued them back together and covered them with non-sticky plastic. Years later they are still holding up well and can stand gentle handling. I think they'll see me out!
"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines." Oliver Goldsmith
John Pickup wrote:I would love to hear about Phil's experiences delivering to Enid, too.
It might be worth admin emailing Phil - email addresses are supposed to be given when people post on the message board - well they are on enidblyton.net, anyway.
