Pettingale Bluebell Wood

On a spring day in 1956 the children of the three top classes of Griffithstown Junior Mixed School lined up in twos, carrying a packed lunch.

Around 100 children of 9 and 10 years of age then walked through their village of Griffithstown, across the valley to the village of New Inn.   Then they proceeded along a country lane towards the village of Llandegfedd.   No complaints of legs aching or wanting to stop.   We were expected to walk, so we did.

Yes, I was one of those children.   We chattered excitedly as we walked.   The sun shone, it was warm and we wondered where we were going, past farms, past fields, past pretty cottages...

Then, we were told to look on the left-hand side of the lane.   There was a woodland.   The sunlight dappled through the young spring foliage.   The ground appeared to reflect the sky.   It was magical.   Bluebells as far as we could see.

Most of us had seen a vase of bluebells, perhaps a few plants growing, but this was wondrous.

We played and laughed amongst the trees, and collected arms full of flowers.  

Happily, we made our way home, the road scattered with stray white and green stems and drooping blossoms.   As we walked, bluebells lolled and bobbed in our aching arms, but we were determined to share our treasure with Mum and Dad.

In my early twenties, I found myself in a car travelling along the same lane.   Each landmark pointed towards the place I'd thought of so often over the years, but didn't know how to find.   I now knew what was over the hill.   But as we progressed along the road a large building appeared.   Then, as we descended a steep hill there was water!   A large expanse of water!   Llandegfedd Reservoir!!

The Reservoir is beautiful with sailing boats and fishermen, fantastic scenery.   A lovely picnic spot in summer.

A small area of Pettingale Wood can still be accessed on the western edge of the water.

All praise and thanks must go to those teachers of the 1950s, Miss Watkins, Mr Chesterman and Mr Jones for providing so many children with such a magical memory.