Whistling in the dark

"In the Forest of Dean, with it's twists and turns and wooded byways, only natives could find their way from A to B with any certainty"Already well known in the Forest of Dean for her verses, Joyce Latham now tells the story of her teenage years, from the comparative innocence of her early days at grammar school through the excitement of earning her first pay packet at fourteen, and the joy of marriage in September 1954. Long working hours at a local newsagents for 10s a week and the difficulties of rationing were leavened by dances and carnival time, walks in the Forest and always the pleasure of friendship. As the Second World War drew to a close after five long hard years, there were the local celebrations on VE-Day and the happiness of knowing that the soldiers were coming home for good.