To read stories by Reg Wilks click here: http://www.flackwellheath.net/hist-wilks-book.htm MILL OUTING By Pat Townsend Reprinted here by kind permission of Pat Townsend, daughter of Reg Wilks Off to the station early To catch the special train. It's a bit grey over Will's Mum's way I hope it doesn't rain. For we’re off on our mill outing Our annual trip to the sea Everything's bought and paid for Including a big cream tea. There's Charlie already on platform And here come Fred and Jim And Ken and John and old Harry But I ain't speaking to him. Here comes our "puffing" special. I do love a ride on a train. It still looks grey over Will's Mum's way. I hope it doesn't rain. I do love a stroll on the good old prom And a kick and a splash in the sea. I'll drench old Harry with water If he should come near me. The weather it was perfect We had such fun at the sea. We ate cockles and whelks and winkles As well as the big cream tea We had pints in nearly all the pubs Played football on the sand. Then, tired of that, we went and sat And listened to big brass band. There's Charlie on the platform And here come Fred and Jim And here comes dear old Harry I've saved a seat for him. We still talk of the outing Harry, my mate, and me. How we made up our stupid quarrel And had such fun by the sea. Lily Simons circa 1950s My husband and I both worked for the railway and after the war we wanted somewhere to live that was in the country but with easy access to London. Flackwell Heath was just right as I could catch the train to London to visit family and Gary could use it for work and also to visit relatives in Maidenhead. Our two sons later used it to go to school in High Wycombe.