大象传媒

As we all gained experience in the Land Army, we were asked if any of us would like to be thatchers, which drew a quick response from me, as I saw it as a real challenge and an art. So when I was proficient enough, I was sent to different farms to 鈥渄o my stuff鈥�.

On one particular farm, we were close to the village and the weather was very warm, so we used to eat our sandwiches and then go down to the local inn for a shandy. On one occasion one of the gentry was there and asked us where we were working, and he was surprised, as it was his place. 鈥淲hat are you doing there?鈥� he asked.
鈥淭hatching鈥� I replied.
Well, what a din! All the old boys in the pub were laughing their heads off; even he laughed.
We said, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 so funny?鈥� which made them laugh louder, and we heard them saying, 鈥淲omen thatchers 鈥� never!鈥�
Anyway, the Colonel said to us, 鈥淚f what you say is true, I鈥檒l buy you all a shandy tomorrow. I鈥檒l be riding that way tomorrow morning.鈥�

Of course, the next day he arrived on horseback and just stared in amazement. 鈥淏y gad,鈥� he said, 鈥淏y gad! I鈥檒l see you at the inn at 12.30, and buy you the shandies.鈥�
All went quiet when we walked in, and the old men had their eyes on the Colonel, who said, 鈥淭hree shandies for the girls.鈥�
They couldn鈥檛 believe it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 true, everybody, it鈥檚 true!鈥� said the Colonel.

Next day, whilst I was up the ladder, I could see funny glints shining in the hedge across the field, and it was binoculars peering at us. The oldies had come to see for themselves.

It was a great life, hard work but enjoyable, and I never wanted city life again.

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