I have just enjoyed hearing ‘Mid Week’ and was so startled to hear that you were born in Thundersly. I am a conductor of choirs, working at the Royal College of Music, but  am also involved in academic writing. I was startled to hear you mention Thundersly-the place of my birth, recorded on my passport, in a caravan.., which I was never told much about due to the hardship of those day, I imagined.  My father has just died, the funeral was last week, and I recently went to meet the Congreegational minister who lives in Thundersly, so learnt a great deal about the history of the local churches there. My Mother has dementia and is in a care home  so I will never know much more about my first 5 years in growing up on ‘the caravan site in Thundersly’.  I grew up in Southend, opposite the Peculiar Peoples Chapel, so related to what you said! I now feel proud to know that my birth place was indeed an historic place, as you mentioned, and plan to read your books. Thanks and best wishes

Joy Hill

I am going to read your books after radio 4 today. Thank you.
I live in Rhoda rd off Catherine rd at top of bread and cheese hill. You must have been close, wow.
We have lots of fruit trees down our road, very old. Also, I’ve heard it was a hunting and riding path for ‘the King’ years back.
What say you?
Jai