Tarvin Memories

Memories of Tarvin by Tony Jenkins

I arrived in Tarvin from Liverpool in 1942. I was 6 years old then. Next January I will be eighty, therefore I have decided to write my recollections of my evacuee year in Tarvin, which may be of interest to younger people.

I remember arriving at Tarvin village hall with many other children. We had our name and address labels attached to our clothes. The atmosphere was most exciting. Children arriving from the dull streets of Liverpool into the countryside!
It was not too long when a lady came over and took my hand. She spoke kindly to me. We walked down the street towards a row of houses on a sandstone rock, then we turned into a gap between two old houses.
The house we arrived at seemed most interesting to me. It stood on an elevated rock, with a small garden in front and larger garden around the far side. I also noticed a small pond in the corner of the garden. The address of this cottage was number 80 High Street, (Photo shows no 80 on the right) I think the cottage next door was 78. I never went into this cottage until many years later.

Mrs Johnson (later to become my Auntie Connie) was very kind to me. I adapted to my new life very quickly enjoying the food and country life. There were two other evacuees staying with us, just a few years older. We were all friends. Mr Johnson was different, he was quiet and didn't interact with the evacuees too much. He went regularly to his place of work every day, I think he worked at the Fire Station. We were wary of him when he was at home, but he actually had a kind nature. Every Friday we met him on the High Street and he would give us all a penny to buy chips (The chip shop is still there today!)
I went to school in Tarvin, but because I was a Catholic we had a separate school in "The Dip" located at the end of the village. "The Dip" had iron railings all around the grounds. I believe the same iron rails are still there today. The school was a long wooden hut.
I never liked the school. It was all discipline and no teaching. I don't recall any books, and I learned nothing!

To be continued........

ED: If you remember Tony or any other evacuees then please get in touch with Tarvinonline and we will publish your memories too, send them to editor@tarvinonline.org