Sample synopsis 1 - Denis talks about his maritime and country childhood.

Great-grandfather was a westerman on a pilot cutter and would bring the cutter home when the pilot brought the ship in. On Denis's mother's side of the family, her father was a master mason. Denis remembers he always had lots of big coins that he had found in walls.

Later he was assistant brewer at Oakhill Brewery, which was burnt out in 1935. When grandfather semi-retired he repaired stone stiles on the Mendips. Recipe for Oakhill stout involved in row with Hobhouse owners. Memories of summer holidays with maternal grandparents on the Mendips. Went by bus with mother. Travel sickness story. Their home described: lovely staircase, glass tiles, and truckle of cheese. Scullery with rock and plank shelves for barrels of home-made wine. Denis and sister collected whatever was in season. His parents did the same too, but mother would hide the wine until it exploded.

Every Saturday lunchtime grandfather would go to the Fire Engine pub and Denis would go and sit on wall. Took home stout for grandmother. Always had wine with the meals there. Grandmother was a marvellous cook, as was Grandmother Williams who would make pies from duck or peewit. Route of bus journey to Neighbourne. Big tin bath in front of fire. "Bucket and chuck it" toilet. Livestock kept, including pig, which would be slaughtered and shared amongst neighbouring farmers. Denis loved haymaking; had cider, bread, cheese and watercress from stream. Local rights of ways. Happy times.

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