The Forewards starts off: "Few have the golden gift to please readers young and old, but with 'Bygone Days on the Tamar', Hilda Archer Johnson proves she is one of the few. This story of he life covers much of the 20th century, expecially the years the Tamar Valley was the heart of an old-time farm and orchard community." "In these very readable memoirs she tells, for example, of riding a farm horse as it swims in the Tamar; and of later years when she steers the family car whilse it was towed home by working bullocks when the petrol ran out. There are description of Rosevears Regatta, of now sleepy Blackwall in its busy years, and of West Tamar people, who had no church, rowing across to worship at St Matthias Church, at Windermere on the east bank."
"We read about Launcestor passengers being ferried down to Rosevears to board such Bass Strait greyhouse as the graceful 'Loongana'. She writes of her family, friends, neighbours, animals and the bush". A fascinating read for all, who wish to learn more about West Tamar life as was.
Contents:
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Author's Note
Imperishable
How it All Came About
Christ Church, Longford
Southerwood Coaches To all Those Who Go Down to the Sea in Ships
Private Baldwin
Henry Reed, Van Diemen's Land Pioneer
Popular Members of the Community
Edmond and Nancy King
The Village Smithy
Rosevears Regatta
All Saints Exeter
Lasting Friendship and the Disastrous Fate of Little Nell
The Old Supply Mill
Where Have all the Gypsies Gone?
Three Bad Eggs
When a Loved One Departs
The Booths of Craigburn, East Tamar
Whirlpool Reach
Changing Years, Then War
Armistice Day, November 11th 1918
Grandsons
'Jinghi Jinghi' 100 Years Centenary
Georgina Elsie Fitze of 'Kenilworth'
New Citizens
Misunderstanding
Changing Times
Fortune
Echoes from the Past
the 11th Earl of Dunmore
Diamond Wedding Celebrations
Passing of a Lifelong Friend
Tranquility
