His wool comes from Armscote Manor and is sold in Ilmington Community Shop – but this particular little bear was knitted by Barbara Peachey, who lives in North Island, New Zealand. Barbara, “77 years young”, was born and raised in Ilmington. She follows the news of her home village through the Community Shop Facebook page. Barbara and her brother Roger were raised at Park Farm. “When I see photos of the community shop, it brings back memories of many hours on the green having to graze the cows on it before I could take them up to Grump Street to the field.” Although she left Ilmington aged 21 for adventures in Canada and New Zealand, Barbara returned for extended periods over the years to visit her parents, who are now buried in the graveyard. “My reason for getting my brother to purchase the wool for me was two-fold: the wool came from Armscote and I wanted to knit it for future great-grandchildren. And it’s special, coming from Ilmington, my home village.” Barbara’s distance from the shop doesn’t stop her shopping with us. Her granddaughter bought her some Spirit of Ilmington Gin and she even owns an Ilmington Community Shop bag! “Though I miss Ilmington, and have wonderful childhood memories, I have no regrets of making New Plymouth my home and bringing up my children, who still live here.” Peachey is Barbara’s maiden name and there are many Peachey family members living in and around our corner of Warwickshire. We send Barbara and her little bear our love even though they are 11,500 miles away…
