Tuesday 27 June 2017

Trees be company


The Dorset magician wordsmith William Barnes was right - his poem of the same title is well worth a read before you proceed.

It never ceases to amaze me how such items of ephemera survive in this modern world of instant, throw it away and want it now. I am glad it does survive - these items, mere trifles, were saved from the rubbish bin. I have a vague recollection of playing the card game as a child - the pack is dated 1975 with artwork by Althea Braithwaite. Done at a time when the National Trust actually printed good guides / ephemera (Rena Gardiner) and didn't rip you off for a pot of tea and a slice of cake like they do now. 




The Tree Card Game has the most delightful box - so imaginative, with every bit of available space illustrated with leaves, berries and birds.



The booklets are Nature Conservancy Council (1978) and Forestry Commission (1973) and are full of interesting facts and advice......from a gentler time. A time I think some of us really crave these days?




4 comments:

The Two Terriers said...


Dickie,

They're what you call a proper job. The illustrations have that feel of the Radio Times tradition that I remember as child. Robin Jaques, David Gentleman, Haswell and the rest. lovely stuff. John

Dickie Straker said...

A proper job indeed John, they are so simple, wholesome in fact - I like David Gentleman, fond memories of reading a lovely book he illustrated "Gawain and the Green Knight" - been looking for a copy these last few months. TTFN Dickie

Bureboyblog said...

Yes indeed And just the sort of thing to be incorporated into sometching dark like the Scarfolk Chronicles. Vale added.

The Two Terriers said...


Sorry Dickie, it was Joan Hassall. Memory is playing tricks now... John