MEMORIES of the village of Mathon form the basis of a new book compiled by resident Ralph Spencer.

Mathon People from 1900 brings together the reminiscences of more than a score of village residents, told largely in their own words.

The recollections vividly evoke a now-vanished rural England which, as Mr Spencer says, was "a quiet world, with the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, birdsong and the clatter of hoofs the only sounds to disturb the quiet of the fields".

It was a world of large families crammed together in small houses, a world which revolved around the agricultural calendar.

"Most food was produced locally and there were few families that did not have a productive vegetable garden and a pig," says Mr Spencer.

Contributor Gladys Minton recalls: "Hay-making and harvest time was a community effort, neighbour helping neighbour, lending each other machinery and labour, even the children had to do their share after school."

Eccentric characters such as "Sounder", "Whistling Jinnie" and "Mad Ellen" are described, and there is an intriguing section on the ghosts that have been sighted in and around the village.

But Mathon could not, of course, remain unaffected by the great convulsions of the 20th Century, and Mr Spencer's book reproduces the First World War roll of honour which is to be found in the village church.

It also records the Second World War exploits of residents such as George Honour, who as a naval lieutenant spent 64 hours submerged in a mini-submarine off Normandy, acting as a navigation beacon for the D-Day landings.

The book is available from Mr Spencer on 01886 880452. It costs £6 (£7 including postage) and proceeds go towards Mathon Church funds.