Do you have any fond recollections of farming life in earlier years to share with us?

My grandfather's brother, Mr Reg Wear of Congresbury, North Somerset, was both a cider maker and a colourful character.

Reg, who lived at Honeyhall, Congresbury, for over 30 years, left school at 12 and was known locally as “the youngest ploughman.” During the Second World War, when his flourishing cider business allowed additional petrol for making deliveries, his 12,000 gallons a year output earned him widespread publicity.

His cider making operation was featured on the radio at home and overseas and was the subject of an article in the Picture Post magazine. One listener abroad heard the broadcast and simply wrote to Mr R Wear, Lord Mayor, Honeyhall, England, and it still reached him.

Reg had a view on most things and when called on to do some public speaking, often at the last minute, he never bothered with notes. He was naturally a fast talker and when asked on more than one occasion to slow down during a broadcast, his grinning retort was that people should listen quicker. He died in 1966.