This project was originally funded by a Millennium Awards grant from Help the Aged

Peoples Leisure User Group - 

Information Technology

www.plugit.org.uk

Members Page

This page is mostly the work of the members where they can share their history and their passions.

The life of Mr. A J (Jim) Eaton

as told by Jim

My life started at 11-10am on the 25^th December 1935 , the local GP. Dr W R Gavin who was present at my birth, always after that used to call me his Christmas Day in the workhouse, said in the friendliest way as he actually gave me a beautiful toy white rabbit, which I still have in my possession to this day.

I was born in a very old thatched roof cottage in Devon , called Woodbine Cottage because it had a Honeysuckle bush running up the outside wall to the side of the door; it was a very old plant as the main stem was over 6ins in diameter. The Cottage had walls made of Cob (That is Mud Straw and Cow Pat mixed together) and which were 2ft 6ins thick. It was a Tithe cottage which went with my father’s job at Pullhayes Farm as Head Cowman and Farm Manager.  The Down stairs ceiling was only 6ft high, with an 8in Beam running across the full width.  This meant when I grew up that I always had to duck when going under it.

This cottage was located in the Village of East Budleigh in East Devon .  It sits on the main road between Exmouth and Sidmouth, and is known in history for being the birth place of Sir Walter Raleigh; he was born at a farm called Hayes Barton, situated about one mile out of the main village.

Although growing up during the Second World War, I had a lovely childhood with many nice friends who I grew up with.  I always had to work hard right from the age of ten years onwards, I was driving horses both in the fields and with the carts and wagons, from that age and drove the tractors when I was twelve.  It was hard going then but my parents although strict on discipline were fair and very loving.

I went to school at Drakes school in the village, then passed the eleven plus and went to Exmouth Grammar school , leaving school at sixteen having passed my school certificate.  I then went to work in the town of Stafford , and joined the Army for three years at the age of 17years 6 months and 5 days, just old enough by five days to be able to sign on as a regular soldier for three years.  Because it was the Queens coronation year 1953, I was presented with the Queens crown given by the Queen to everyone who signed on in the forces in that year.  I left the army in June 1956, but only 6 weeks later was called up again because of the Suez emergency, and was de-mobbed again in January 1957.

I then went to Nottingham to live and to work with my brother in his business, and became a fully skilled architectural and ornamental blacksmith, making hand forged gates, staircase balustrades, pub signs in fact anything that could be done in ornamental metalwork.  While in Nottingham I met and married my better half my lovely wife June.  We got married in 1960 at Shakespeare Street Registry office Nottingham , and have so far spent 45 very happy years together, and hope to have many more.

My last job before I was forced to retire was with the Automobile Association, with whom I was a Patrol Force Sergeant.  It was with them in 1993 that I was involved in a crash in one of their Relay Lorries, when the power steering failed and locked up the steering, causing the vehicle to go off the road and hit a tree, The Cab was badly crushed and I had to be cut out by the rescue services, I was in a coma in Warwickshire Royal Infirmary for 12 days, having suffered multiple injuries, including 14 fractures in various bones, a punctured left lung and a very bad head injury which has caused some brain damage ,but not too bad thank heaven.  Since this accident I try to live every day to the full, because while I was in the coma I actually arrested and had to be brought back to earth again.  So just think everyone this life is not a dress rehearsal, it is the real thing and you only get one shot at it, so count your blessings and live your life in the best way you can.

I was compulsorily retired in October 1993 and we moved to Mablethorpe in July 1997.  As most of you probably already know I was chairman of the Mablethorpe Carnival From 1999 to 2003 when I had to close for lack of being able to form a committee of enough strength.  From then on I guess you know all about me.

If this is put on the website and you read it, I hope you will find it of some interest to know where I am coming from.  My best wishes to everyone Regards- JIM     Mr. Arthur James Eaton  

Thanks Jim

 Observations and Compensations

     The compensation for being nearly under water last week, is the huge shimmering lake in the field next door but one, from which comes a constant chatter of birds.  There are seagulls swooping all around, tufted ducks bobbing and diving about in their twosomes, godwits wading all along the shore line, and this morning, fifty or so house martins zooming back and fore across the water catching flies.  More knowledge –able bird watchers say there were many other visitors too including a marsh harrier, so, as I say, there have been compensations.

   We now view the high water mark in our drive with some affection.  We were saved from having water seeping into our house by barely one millimeter, and though our septic tank was flooded, which meant a regime of bowls, buckets and a chemical loo, we have survived, unlike so many other poor souls.  Gradually the water is receding and hopefully soon we shall wonder what all the song and dance was about.

          I hope you have all been as lucky, or even luckier and dry.

Margaret