Tuesday 23 April 2019

Joyce Grenfell's hat


I think I showed this to you some years ago. It is Joyce Grenfell's Norfolk birdwatching hat. It was kept at her best friend's house near Cromer where I spent one Christmas with her daughter. I didn't steal it, I was given it.

I used to use it at my workshop and I kept it hanging on a nail on a roof timber. One Spring day I found a beautifully constructed nest in it with a wren sitting on a clutch of unbelievably tiny eggs.

Shortly after, I went into the shop and - once again - felt as though I was being observed. Little wren chicks were dotted around, perched on various things at various levels. The mother was trying to coax them out under a gap in the door. The next day they were all outside enjoying the sunshine.

Joyce would have loved that.
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18 comments:

  1. Jacqueline @ HOME23 April 2019 at 01:47

    The hat has been put to good use then and Joyce would have approved .... she could have made a sketch about it .... “ Now then children, shall we all fly like birds ..... no Thomas, a tractor isn’t a bird is it ? Thomas, don’t do that !!! I loved her monologues . XXXX

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  2. Rachel Phillips23 April 2019 at 01:53

    Did she have a balaclava for those not so warm days?

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    1. Tom Stephenson23 April 2019 at 11:34

      That hat has ear flaps that are tucked up. I think it is an American hunting hat.

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  3. gz23 April 2019 at 02:05

    Fascinating birds, wrens..and inventive nest builders

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  4. Cro Magnon23 April 2019 at 02:11

    We once inherited a cluttered garage that had an old Army greatcoat hanging inside. In one of the pockets was a Robin's nest.

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  5. Rosemary23 April 2019 at 03:34

    What a lovely story Tom.

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  6. The Weaver of Grass23 April 2019 at 10:43

    Lovely lady to those of us old enough to remember her at the height of her powers.
    The farmer once left a pair of old trousers he wore when threshing hanging over a beam in the barn - a long tailed tit built a nest in them.

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    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson23 April 2019 at 11:37

      That's a good spot for a long tailed tit. Their nests get attacked by magpies around here, but magpies don't usually like venturing indoors amongst humans.

      Delete
  7. Joanne Noragon23 April 2019 at 17:14

    Wrens are my favorite songbird. Their little tails stick straight up.

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    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson24 April 2019 at 00:25

      When we had farthings (quarter of a penny) the wren was stamped on it.

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    2. Rachel Phillips24 April 2019 at 03:58

      I loved that coin. The wren made it special.

      Delete
  8. Avus24 April 2019 at 00:02

    Delightful! Joyce would have loved that.

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  9. MrsC (Maryanne)24 April 2019 at 02:18

    Oh Absolutely!!!

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  10. Jennifer25 April 2019 at 09:02

    That's such a nice story, Tom. I love wrens and I'm sure Joyce would have been thrilled.

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