Magic in the Woodyard….
A childhood memory that often surfaces is a very special recollection of a magical
Saturday spent with my Dad.
Way back, here in the UK, there was a big craze for 'Stilts', and I was very keen to have a pair, along with my friends, and learn the important art of balance.
I asked Dad if I could have a pair, and he said yes and that he would make them himself for me. I was very excited when he said we would go and buy some wood the very next day. I was up bright and early the next morning which was a Saturday. Dad said we were going to a very interesting place. My child’s imagination was working overtime! Where were we going? We drove to somewhere quite near to the City centre, but that looked like an Industrial area. Dad parked up, and opposite I could see a place called
“Robinsons”. We got out of the van, crossed the road and headed for the entrance. As Dad opened the door, my young senses were immediately assaulted most pleasantly by an overwhelming aroma of fresh cut wood. It was wonderful, and I can still recall it so clearly as I write this, an imprint so powerful that it has never left me. Stacked up before us in this big warehouse was wood! Lots of it! So much of it in many different sizes. Some were planks, some were tall thin pieces precariously balanced against the walls. I was intrigued, and as a young child I remember thinking how beautiful it looked. As we walked towards the shelves, Dad took my hand and let me run it over some of the different pieces. Some of it had the most amazing but delicate patterns running through it. There were spirals, and distinctive wavy lines running through the wood.Some pieces were very smooth, and some quite rough. Others had different lines and ‘knots’ within. I ran my little fingers over them and found these knots to be very interesting. Dad said it was best to avoid buying types with ‘knots’ as it could be dangerous, as the wood could break at those knotty points. Not something you would want in a pair of children's stilts.
Dad told me to be careful, and not to get wooden ‘spells’ in my fingers. He also told me some of the names of the Trees that the wood came from. I was fascinated…but oh, that glorious smell that filled the air..a warm, earthy and strangely reassuring perfume. After a while, and more exploring, Dad said we would choose some wood for my stilts. Eventually we purchased a tall piece suitable for my stilts height, which I think was Beech Wood. Dad told me that most stilts had wooden blocks screwed onto the wood to put young feet on. He said he was going to use something 'different' that ‘looked better’. He bought some black shiny ‘brackets’ suitable to be used for me to stand on, and big enough for my small shoes to balance on safely.
He also chose some strong screws to attach them safely and strongly. We paid for them and Dad told the man behind the Cash Register, what he was using the wood for. The man smiled at me and said he thought I would be very good walking on stilts! He gave me some sweets too, soft, and fruity, and I smiled and thanked him…
We drove home in the bright Summer Sunshine…and I felt so happy.
I had enjoyed this morning so much with Dad, and I had learnt lots of stuff too…
The delightful aroma still lingered in my nostrils as we made our way home. When we arrived it was almost lunchtime, and Mum was in the kitchen carefully frying Potato Chips…the smell was delicious, drifting on the gentle Summer breeze. I told her about the wood yard, and how I had loved being there and learning about all the different trees the wood came from. She smiled and said she was glad I’d enjoyed my trip out with Dad. She gave me a plate of freshly cooked chips and asked if I would like to eat them outside in the garden. I eagerly said I would..food always seemed to taste so delicious outside! Mum laid out a checked blanket for me to sit on, and
as I was munching on my chips, Dad came outside having gathered together all the tools he needed for the job in hand. He also had brought out our
Portable radio to listen to. I was fascinated to see him saw the long piece of wood, and as he did so, the lovely smell of wood surrounded us both again. I put my finger in the sawdust, and noticed how soft it was.
The ‘Yellow Rose of Texas’ was playing on the radio, and Dad turned the volume up higher; it was one of his favourites, and he whistled along happily, in that way typical way that Dad's do, whilst being utterly contented in his work. That compelling combination of music, combined with the distinctive aroma of wood shavings, readily emblazoneditself securely within my memory forever.
I remember watching Dad working diligently in his blue shirt sleeves, screwing the shiny black brackets onto my stilts which were almost completed..
“There you are.” he said, “I bet none of your friends will have a pair of stilts quite like these….” He smiled his best Dad smile..I loved Dad so much. He was the the best Dad! ..and he was right, none of my friends had stilts quite like mine. They were unique…and special, just like Dad was, and as all the things were that he made. Always that little bit different, and totally unique.
Though sadly, he is not here with me anymore, in spirit he is with me always, every single day. That magical morning still remains clear and fresh in my mind, and is one of my happiest childhood memories.
Out of curiosity the other day, I looked up ‘Robinson’s’ Woodyard, not expecting to find any trace of it, all these years later. Imagine my delight to find 'Robinson Timber & Building
Supplies', still trading, at the same address, here in Hull, UK in 2022!
I know it will be a completely different experience, but I cannot wait to revisit, and perhaps relive just a little of that special, heartwarming, bygone magic…
