Welcome to the May edition of the new CHEQS Magazine! Your community magazine – supported by representatives of the five village communities, Coln St Aldwyns, Hatherop, Quenington, Eastleach and Southrop.
Hello from… Alan Maynard
My wife, Mandy, and I moved into The Old Post Office, in Hatherop about two years ago. I’m from Acton, west London and Mandy is from Newcastle on Tyne.
When I was somewhat younger, and still living in Acton, I formed a trad jazz band – that’s me on banjo. But, a small challenge for you , do you recognise the trumpet player? He went on to play bass in one of the UK’s most famous rock bands. The answer, Pete Entwhistle, late of The Who.
So how did Mandy & I end up here in the Cotswolds? My job involved a lot of travel… from Thailand to Texas and lots in between, including Newcastle, where I met Mandy over 30 years ago – we married and moved south. We used to travel from our Berkshire home to Cirencester, Bibury, Broadway etc and fell in love with the Cotswolds.
Our first move to the area was to a small cottage in Langford, where Sir Hardy Amies had a house and his sister a cottage – lots of goings on… but that’s another story! Subsequently, we’ve lived in Quenington and Coln St. Aldwyns, and now Hatherop, where we’ve been made to feel so welcome.
We have between us two children, five grandchildren and now two great grandchildren, who we haven’t even met yet, due to Covid restrictions.
If you don’t know who we are, look out for two well wrapped up oldies (weather permitting), walking our daily five miles around the country lanes and footpaths, always on the lookout for deer, hare, buzzards and kites. There’s plenty about just – keep your eyes open.
My main hobby is fly fishing and collecting antique fishing tackle. I buy some from eBay and some from auctions. I also love cooking. Mandy & I are both retired and love the quiet village life – healthy and relaxing, most of the time!
Margaret Stranks – Editor
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