International Visitor, Distant Relative
International Visitor, Distant Relative
I will be flying to the U.K. next week; will be in your lovely country for just over a month. I'm an Aussie living in New Zealand. And, I'm distantly related to Enid Blyton (she's my 4th cousin 3x removed); my great grandmother was Martha Blyton. I've traced my family tree back to brothers William (born 1750) and Samuel (born 1760) Blyton, both born in Nottingham. Enid's is descended from William, and I am descended from Samuel. (Their father was born 1730.) I am interested in researching what I can about Enid, while in the UK. Especially as I am a writer too. Do you have any suggestions, sights associated with her life etc., where I should go. Do you have an office or place where you meet regularly?
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26883
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: International Visitor, Distant Relative
It's interesting that you're distantly related to Enid Blyton, Mumma Moo.
If you went to Bourne End in Buckinghamshire you could walk along Coldmoorholme Lane and see Old Thatch, where Enid Blyton lived from 1929 to 1938. Unfortunately, the gardens are no longer open to the public. At the end of Coldmoorholme Lane is the river, and it's possible to follow the river-path to Marlow as characters sometimes do in the Find-Outers books. It's a lovely walk.
The houses in which Enid Blyton grew up in Beckenham, Kent, also still exist. The addresses are in Barbara Stoney's Biography. Some of us had a walk around the area a couple of years ago. They're quite ordinary houses but it's still interesting to see them.
In Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire is Blyton Close, where Enid Blyton's house Green Hedges used to stand. Some of us are planning to meet up in Beaconsfield on 17th October to have a pub lunch and see Blyton Close and the model of Green Hedges at the model village, Bekonscot. I'm not 100% sure whether I'll be there myself, but I hope to make it. You're welcome to come along. There's a thread about the gathering here:
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/foru ... 4&start=90" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We don't have an office or meeting-place, I'm afraid.
There are also places in Dorset where Enid Blyton went on holiday regularly, but other members know more about those.
If you went to Bourne End in Buckinghamshire you could walk along Coldmoorholme Lane and see Old Thatch, where Enid Blyton lived from 1929 to 1938. Unfortunately, the gardens are no longer open to the public. At the end of Coldmoorholme Lane is the river, and it's possible to follow the river-path to Marlow as characters sometimes do in the Find-Outers books. It's a lovely walk.
The houses in which Enid Blyton grew up in Beckenham, Kent, also still exist. The addresses are in Barbara Stoney's Biography. Some of us had a walk around the area a couple of years ago. They're quite ordinary houses but it's still interesting to see them.
In Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire is Blyton Close, where Enid Blyton's house Green Hedges used to stand. Some of us are planning to meet up in Beaconsfield on 17th October to have a pub lunch and see Blyton Close and the model of Green Hedges at the model village, Bekonscot. I'm not 100% sure whether I'll be there myself, but I hope to make it. You're welcome to come along. There's a thread about the gathering here:
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/foru ... 4&start=90" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We don't have an office or meeting-place, I'm afraid.
There are also places in Dorset where Enid Blyton went on holiday regularly, but other members know more about those.
"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.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: International Visitor, Distant Relative
That's fantastic!Mumma Moo wrote: I am a writer too....
What do you write? Can we see your work in print anywhere?
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- Farwa
- Posts: 1341
- Joined: 08 Jul 2014, 10:31
- Favourite book/series: The Secret Island/Adventure Series/Famous Five
- Favourite character: Anne Kirrin/Peggy
- Location: In my imagination
Re: International Visitor, Distant Relative
Related to Enid Blyton? That's lovely, Mumma Moo! And you are a writer too; that is really wonderful. Do you write children's stories, like Enid, or do you like writing something else?
A day spent without a smile is a day lost.