A Wiltshire Lad: Bob Hancock’s Autobiography Review Alan Payne November 2019
Photographs Bob Hancock unless stated otherwise
Photographs Bob Hancock unless stated otherwise
Photo courtesy Jody Gaisford, Colerne Photographic Company at www.jodyphotography.co.uk
Bob Hancock is a man of many parts: family man, farmer, groundsman, tractor enthusiast, fishing supporter. He has been a major worker in Box in Bloom, Box Revels and the Box Youth Club committees. We all know him from different parts of our lives and interests. Now he has recorded his life and his memories of life in Box village in the second half of the twentieth century.
Country Life in the Past
Bob’s childhood evocates the countryside fifty years ago when: Moorhens were laying in May time, all along the By Brook, which flowed at the bottom of Cowleaze, with water voles bobbing up and down and otters basking in sunny, muddy slipways on the brook banks, not too bothered about us. Those days we were allowed to take 3 eggs from each moorhen's nest, light a fire and crush the eggs into an old Tate & Lyle Golden Syrup tin. When they were cooked solid, we would cut them out with a pen knife and eat them - absolutely delicious.
Country Life in the Past
Bob’s childhood evocates the countryside fifty years ago when: Moorhens were laying in May time, all along the By Brook, which flowed at the bottom of Cowleaze, with water voles bobbing up and down and otters basking in sunny, muddy slipways on the brook banks, not too bothered about us. Those days we were allowed to take 3 eggs from each moorhen's nest, light a fire and crush the eggs into an old Tate & Lyle Golden Syrup tin. When they were cooked solid, we would cut them out with a pen knife and eat them - absolutely delicious.
1953. What a year that was! the year of the Coronation. A type of wooden scaffold was erected over the entrance to Valence Terrace, up near the main road, with a cartwheel in the centre. There was a huge marquee up near the Queens Head on the Rec which the scouts guarded. We started dismantling the hut in Ashley that year to build the new scout hut. 18-months later I would do my paper round as quick as I could after school, have tea, then I was on my bike to try to get to the hut before Alec Cogswell and have a mix of cement ready for him. I was his labourer as you might say. One weekend we put the ridge on. Then we both stood inside and I remember Alec saying, "Well Bob, we now have our new Scout Hut" and, my God, we did! (photo above).
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Meeting and Marrying Lauri
On the ship to Australia, I glanced across to another table and the girl gave me a smile. I made myself known to her and we arranged to meet in the ballroom in the evening. It was love at first sight with Lauri. She was feeling the same way and, as we talked, we could both tell this close friendship was something we both enjoyed and was very mutual. Bob went to meet her again by driving across Australia: Little did I know that I drove straight through the tollgates. About ½ mile on, this policeman stopped me on his motorbike. I told him my story in which he was very interested. He asked me where I was going. He lived in the same town and when l told him the address, he knew it. He said "l won't book you this time, it's 26 miles up the road. Follow me. I'll take you there". So, I followed my police escort to Lauri’s home 33 Redleaf Avenue. |
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They later married and Bob naturally wanted to be with his new bride, even when he was working away: The Yarrongabilly Caves were owned by the State Park Trust and my job was to restore not only the big house, but the small cottages. This was quite a big task, and there were around 50 prisoners brought in from Goulburn Jail to carry out a lot of the work. They had wardens with them, of course, but they did not even think of escaping as the whole complex was so far out in the bush that it would have been near impossible. It was suggested that I should bring my new bride Lauri up for a week as she was on holiday from her work. If I was found out I'd get the sack, but Jack said he would cover up for me if anything was said. So, I took her up on the Monday morning, along with our little Corgi, Sam.
Running the Quarryman’s Arms
Back in England, Bob and Lauri tenanted the Box Hill pub from 1968 to 1972. The pub was on its knees and they tried to involve the community with teas, trips out and Harvest Suppers for local people: We asked vicar Tom Selwyn-Smith to assist us with a Harvest Home In the pub. I put a notice up that the service would start at 8pm, followed by an auction. The response from customers for fresh produce was over-whelming and it was not only veg and flowers but home-made bread and cakes, preserves. What a wonderful evening we had. People joined in from the Hill and also from Box.
At this time, I was using their house to sell frozen peas and sacks of potatoes, ice cream etc. It was pushing the sales of beer through the roof but little did I realise that selling other things besides beer and spirits was being naughty. The landlords said that I was in breach of my contract and that my rent would have to go up from £12.50 a week to £25 per week. I slapped the table and told them to sling their hook.
Bob’s story continues up to the present with a record of events and people in the village, including his work for the parish council, Box Revels, Becket Pageant plays, the Green Room Youth Club, Fishing Club, Church choir, local vintage tractor clubs, and ploughing matches. For all this, you will have to buy a copy the autobiography offering 170 pages, 65 photos (half in full colour), priced £10, now available from Box Post Office.
Back in England, Bob and Lauri tenanted the Box Hill pub from 1968 to 1972. The pub was on its knees and they tried to involve the community with teas, trips out and Harvest Suppers for local people: We asked vicar Tom Selwyn-Smith to assist us with a Harvest Home In the pub. I put a notice up that the service would start at 8pm, followed by an auction. The response from customers for fresh produce was over-whelming and it was not only veg and flowers but home-made bread and cakes, preserves. What a wonderful evening we had. People joined in from the Hill and also from Box.
At this time, I was using their house to sell frozen peas and sacks of potatoes, ice cream etc. It was pushing the sales of beer through the roof but little did I realise that selling other things besides beer and spirits was being naughty. The landlords said that I was in breach of my contract and that my rent would have to go up from £12.50 a week to £25 per week. I slapped the table and told them to sling their hook.
Bob’s story continues up to the present with a record of events and people in the village, including his work for the parish council, Box Revels, Becket Pageant plays, the Green Room Youth Club, Fishing Club, Church choir, local vintage tractor clubs, and ploughing matches. For all this, you will have to buy a copy the autobiography offering 170 pages, 65 photos (half in full colour), priced £10, now available from Box Post Office.