Lanivet 1938

Halfway across the County,‘mongst the flowers and the moss,

Deep in a quiet churchyard, stands an ancient granite cross,

Watching over the village, and the way the Saints have trod,

A Pagan site no longer, they pray to a greater God.

Pray for Peace, goodwill to men, put an end to grief and hate,

So preached the Reverend Windsor, it was 1938,

But rumours of invasion, gas masks issued, Hitler’s law,

Pleas of peace from Chamberlain, puts them on the brink of war.

Village life just carries on, the A30 rumbles through

Summer guests stop at the Pub, the shop, and the Garage too

Hear the Mill wheel grinding corn, and cows grazing on the green

Sip a pint of Walter Hicks , and enjoy the tranquil scene.

While Mr Geach, the Cobbler, hammers heavy hob nailed boots,

And rabbit pie’s for supper, if the farmer aims and shoots,

Headmaster, Mr Leggo, with a class of 50 sits

Less concerned with punishment, than Nurse Sharpe finding nits.

July 7^th, heavy rain, absentees from school again,

Floor boards lifted, blocks the drain, fills the Millpond and the lane,

Fills the pool that’s lined with slate, where the children swim and slide

Hilda Matthews from her shop, brings her groceries inside.

It’s a meeting place to chat, share their news as they pass by

Lets make it all official and start a W.I.

We’ll have a competition, the best ironed shirt and hem

Make jam and cakes and objet d’art, and then sing Jerusalem

Liz Rutherford 2006