I
missed Akenfield when it came
out in 1969 but, of course, since moving to Suffolk it has become of
particular interest. I first came to notice and appreciate Ronnie’s work when I
started to subscribe to the Church Times,
as the only way of getting a copy of my own reviews when I started writing for
it, and read – usually before anything else – his weekly back-page column, ‘Word
from Wormingford’, which I invariably enjoyed. I once wrote to tell him so, and
received a lovely reply. His memories of working for Britten and Pears were
also very fascinating, especially as told in his book The Time by the Sea (2013). He did well to reach his centenary
while still living independently at home.
I
never met him, but I thank him for his wonderful evocations of Suffolk life,
never sentimental, but always with the ring of truth. May he rest in peace and rise in
glory!