MIKE Cresswell remembers the Redgraves. The heirs to one of Britain's most famous theatrical families were his playmates back in the 1950s, writes BILL TANNER.

Mike grew up to be Bromyard Town Clerk. His chums spent their life in the spotlight - as they were always destined to do.

But the Redgrave children - Corin and Vanessa - never got too 'big' for Bromyard.

Corin came back at Mike's invitation earlier this year. Packing the Conquest Theatre with a charity performance of his acclaimed one-man show Blunt Speaking.

Now there is a plan to name a playing field after their mother the late Rachel Kempson, wife of Sir Michael Redgrave and herself acclaimed as an actor on stage, screen and radio.

The Kempson estate was at Bircheyfields, where Bromyard Gala is based today. Later they moved to Whitegates, a sizeable house in Hereford Road that became a nursing home.

It was to Whitegates that Mike, whose parents lived nearby, would go to play. Usually with Corin, Vanessa being a little older.

Sir Michael taught him tennis. And there were picnics.

The Redgraves were more than occasional visitors to Bromyard, their home during the war years was Dumbleton Cottage, Church Street.

Lucy Kempson, Rachel Kempson's cousin, gave the playing field off York Road to the town in 1943.

When Rachel Kempson died in May this year thoughts turned toward naming the site in her honour. Bromyard Town Council will decide whether or not to do so at a meeting next month.