WHILE browsing though Google I came upon a Hereford Times article about the demise of the Volunteer Inn at Marden.

Well, that got my mind ringing and thinking about the happy times I spent in “the Volly”.

At around the age of 16 or 17, my late father and I would meet up with the gang every September, some for fishing on the Lugg, others just for socialising in the Volly, which was then run by Frank Wright and his wife Bella, who were superb, and we all became great friends.

Frank, I believe, was in the police force in Sheffield before they moved down to Herefordshire as their son had asthma symptoms and the quality of the air was a lot cleaner.

The fun and games we had were fantastic, especially when it was 10-pin bowling night, played with the old wooden bowls and pins at the Volly’s bowling alley.

We all stayed at Brook Farm, a five-minute walk away, and were grateful on many a night that it was downhill after a good night out!

The farm was in those days in the brilliant hands of Mrs Davis who, seeing that I was the youngest, always looked after me grub-wise.

When she decided to retire, she recommended us to Mrs May Jones at Two Lakes Farm, who looked after us to such an extent that you would think we were one of the family. Many a time, Mr Jones would drag my wife off to help with the milking of the cows!

I remember going to May Jones’ 100th birthday bash and at that age she still knew everyone’s name. A truly remarkable woman.

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To sum up the Volly and the farms, it was good fun, good times, good friends, and good food. Times that will never be repeated.

DEREK ASHMORE

ISLE OF WIGHT