'I'd move to a bungalow, if I won the lottery,' said John, 'but right now, I'm happy: one wife, one car, one house...it's all I need.
'Norma and I fell in love in Toothill. But we met at the Solo Club in the Manchester Road - it works you know! We both have good families and we are happy...there's lots of wildlife to watch, foxes and hedgehogs come out at night. There was a view of the railway when I first moved here but now it is hidden by silver birches. I was a lorry driver delivering coal mainly to Pinehurst. We had gas in Toothill, no need for coal. But Danny the woodcutter would come, with truck and his old grinder. It was all about connections. He'd know who'd had wood delivered.' ( Danny the Woodcutter was the grandfather of Miss Thamesdown, 1978!)
The journals of the students were filling up, everyone was engaged in chat and laughter. There was mutual enjoyment on this lovely social occasion. 'There's a buzz going - the seniors enjoyed meeting up ... I'm sure lots of lines will emerge about daffodils springing, sharing church buildings, the stained glass window and cows as neighbours.' Roger Ogle.
13 year old Alicia of Greendown School with 96 year old Jean Carey who was one of the first residents of Toothill in 1977 and one of the founders of the Good Companions Club. Thank you Toothill Good Companions Club, for being so friendly and welcoming to the students of Greendown, Toothill, Westlea and Oliver Tomkins!
Afterwards we had a good look at the 'Toothill Sunrise', a stained glass window of Toothill Community Centre. Take a look...what can you see?
We all gathered around 'The Watchers' statue. This was my first sighting of the sculpture by Carlton Attwood.
Toothill church then recieved a surprise visit from 17 very curious people. We had a warm welcome from David who explained that the church started as a builders hut (the same hut Jean Carey told us she'd take cups of tea up to...when the paths were made of mud and only two or three houses were built). This church was a loved space ... cared for and warm. It was full of story and the sharing of faith, understanding and community above all else: we heard of Olive who would visit people to type out their needs for them in the back of her car. I am thinking of a typewriter for our final day of writing ... we can tap out some wishes, thoughts, ideas too in the spirit of Olive.
I've asked the students to look through the stories they have collected and to think about ways they can make them into poetry over the next few weeks.Many phrases are coming to mind: The Watchers, Toothill Sunrise, The Look Out, Mud Hills, The Mound, ... all good companions for a rich poem to come.
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