My mother’s family were from the small rural village of Tatworth not far from its Manor of Chard. My mother had seven sisters, two didn’t survive a year and one was adopted, and six brothers, four of whom died within four years. The family lived in a three bedroomed house opposite the village school. It was assumed that the girls would be unlikely to marry, all however, who reached working age, did. It is a marvel that Rosa managed so well. She never stood on ceremony nor suffered fools gladly but spoke directly, never fearing that what she said was not right or questioned. Tatworth was a close-knit society, especially for folk who were neighbours for generations and had gone to school together. The land, mill, and buttery, gave work to its inhabitants and for some In-service work gave their daughters a rare taste of freedom and a better life.