Our first contributions

It was a busy day today, as Moseley in Bloom were holding their Open Gardens Weekend. The Dovecote Garden was one of the points for ticket sales and 130 people came through the gate to buy a ticket. In addition there were others who just came to see the Dovecote. Everyone came to have a look at the exhibition. As it was the first opening, most people were simply finding out about the event, but we did start to get some contributions.

This bride was donated by Dominic Gauden.

Verity Montague-Smith's story of the 'Blue Balloon' was one of the first stories that I took from the local history archives to produce a pair of prints for the exhibition. Verity's memories are of the small details of childhood, but placed in the context of the momentous events of the Second World War, and they are still vivid and affecting. She told me of the time her Mother stood on their doorstep in tears looking at a huge red glow in the sky, when she asked what it was, her Mother replied "Coventry is burning". It was clear Verity found recalling this event very upsetting.

She left two more stories about her experiences in the metal pigeon holes I have placed in the Cow House. One about the fear she experienced on VE (Victory in Europe) night, not understanding that the war had ended. The other about a street party, where she describes the food in great detail.

"VE Night - A Night of Terror. The war dragged on after the tension of D-Day - expectation which had been raised, dropped and we stumbled on - then suddenly everything changed and people were cheerful and excited - one day they went mad. Mum didn't draw the curtains! No one shouted "Put out that light!' We all walked up the road towards the static water tanks near which an enormous bonfire was blazing away - my terror was overwhelming - I thought that I was the only person who understood that we were all going to be killed in the next few minutes. Howling and yelling I tried to rescue my parents and sisters - only to be smacked and told to be quiet. The terror is with me still."

"Street Parties. After VE Night came the street parties - long lines of tables made from old doors covered with sheets and table cloths smelling of moth balls. Everyone brought out precious horded tins of meat and fruit. Cakes were made using rancid butter. sandwiches made from spam, fish and meat paste, fairy cakes made with dried egg and little or no sugar.

Huge amounts of crepe paper were used for decorations and bunting made from old clothes fluttering above us. We drank weak orange squash and ribena.

We sang 'Daisy, Daisy' and 'It's a long way to Tipperary', played musical chairs and pass the parcel.

One evening my father found a firework but it didn't flash or spark just floated away over the trees - magical."