ENID BLYTON'S LITTLE SCHOOL AND THE THOMPSON BOYS!

Top: L-R Brian Thompson, David Thompson (my grandpa), John Terry; Middle: Enid Blyton; Bottom: the twins John and Peter Thompson and Molly Sayer.

As its world book day I thought I'd write a piece about the wonderful education give to my grandpa and his three brothers.

My grandfather at nine years old suffered from Diphtheria (a common potentially life threatening illness, in the 1920s) So my great grandparents decided to home school the boys, before my grandfather was sent to Mill Hill School. Enid was introduced to my great grandfather by his cousin Mabel Attenborough, her niece Mary Attenborough was a friend of Enid's.

Enid moved into my great grandparents house Southernhay in Hook in 1920, and was employed as governess to the four boys. David (my grandpa) nine, Brian seven, and the twins John and Peter five and other neighbours children to make it more of a school.

My great uncle Brian Thompson recalls his memories of School at Southernhay.

Lessons included English, maths, history, geography, art, modelling, sculpture, singing, poetry, French and nature.

Auntie Enid (as the children would call her) would take them out catching butterflies, walking through meadows, catching fish from a stream nearby. They also let off a small hot air balloon from Hook recreational ground with an address tag attached, which eventually returned from Belgium!

Enid Blyton Sketch of Brian at the seaside, September 1920.

John Thompson's school report ,1922.

Enid's imagination was wonderful, she would tell tales about fairies, imps and goblins. So in, 1921 she published her first work in Cassells magazine and the following year she published her first book Child Whispers.

Child Whispers by Enid Blyton, 1922; Illustrated by Phyllis Chase. (I am not to sure if this is the first edition cover)

I like to think the her time teaching in Southernhay her "Little school" as she referred to it in an interview recording, inspired many of her publications, such as the Famous Five.

A rare Enid Blyon interview speaking of her "Little school".

My great grandparents house, Southernhay 207, Hook Road, Hook, Surrey. The house is no longer residential.

English Heritage Blue Plaque on the front of Southernhay.

The Thompson family: L-R David Thompson (my grandpa), Brian Thompson, John Thompson, Horace Thompson (my great grandfather), Peter Thompson, Gertrude Thompson (my great grandfather) and Frances Wood (my great parents adopted daughter).

I am sure it was Enid's love of nature that influenced my grandpa's career, he ran Walton Park Nurseries, in Hersham with his brother John, for many years before handing the business over to my father who continued running the family business.

Brian Thompson was the Chairman of the Leicester Mercury and Peter Thompson was an Accountant.