The Famous Five - 80 Years Old Today

[Rowls]

The Harvest Festival holidays were finally here and young Rowls was bursting with excitement! There were six whole weeks without any school and he was going to go to every Burnley game with his gang of friends.

There were five of them in total and they always had adventures going to all of the Burnley games during the Harvest Festival holidays.

There was Corky, who was the strongest and oldest of them all. They sometimes joked that Corky's legs had "gone" but he was still reliable and could do anything a grown man could do - things like throwing a stone or punching a ne'er-do-well square in the jaw.

Then there was Rowls (who was the cleverest of the lot) but there was also two girls, who were less important.

The oldest of the girls was Anne Weghourst, who was a gangly and silly thing. She always wore flowery dresses and was constantly falling over and crying about the silliest of things.

After her came the last of the children, Georgina Oghani but she was actually great fun because she did all the things boys could like climbing trees and smoking pipes. Nobody dared called her by her real name lest she whalloped them with an ironing board. Everybody called her George on pain of a shiner!

Finally there was Coyley. Coyley was a dog in every sense of the word. It was great fun to have him as company however, although he was part of the gang, they all knew he was a dog and he might turn on any of them quick as a flash if there was the offer a free doggy biscuit somewhere.

Rowls had been picked up from Fetes (where he schooled) by his loyal Chauffeur, Hobson. Now they were on their way back to Turf Island where his family lived. That's where they'd be staying during the holidays and Aunt Growler would make them up a picnic everyday before the set off for their football adventures.

The luxurious Rolls Royce purred as they darted through the country lanes towards and Hobson guided the majestic machine as serenely as one would a powerful steed.

With each new turn they took in the winding lanes, sparrows chirruped and flew out of the hedges while starlings shimmied in the skies above them. Everywhere they looked, it seemed that nature itself was heralding the beginning of the holidays and Rowls' arrival! A warmth stirred in his heart and in a moment of kindness he decided to unwind the separating window and talk to his faithful old chauffeur.

"I say, Old Hobson, isn't marvellous to be having six whole weeks away from school? I can scarcely keep still! I've got tickets for all the Burnley games and me and my pals are going to go to every single game! Isn't it just top!?"

Old Hobson was about to reply but his eagle eyes had spotted something strange on the brow of the horizon. There, dangerously close to the road, was a bedraggled hobo who was lurching on and off the pavement and causing much trouble for the passing motorists.

"Hold on, Master Rowls," said Hobson. "I've just got to focus on avoiding this eijit ahead." He shifted down the gears and grasped the steering wheel as the approached the sinister figure by the roadside.

As they got closer, the silhouette of the man came into view. He was a ghastly looking chap with a scar down his face, a thin scowl on his lips and a sickly complexion. Lank and greasy hair fell in clumps from his head. When they had first spied this awful figure behind the sunset, they couldn't tell what he was wearing but with every yard the car drew closer his attire came more clearly into view: He was wearing a blue and white halved sports shirt with the strange word "Venkys" proclaimed across it. The man's tained trousers were held up with string and his dirty old boots had holes in them.

Hobson guided the Rolls away from queer fellow on the curb but as they were almost with touching distance the man lunged into the road and stuck out a wiry thumb as if to hitch a lift. In his other hand he was grasping a cardboard sign upon which somebody had scrawled in crayon, "EEWUDD PARC".

"Lock the doors, Master Rowls!" warned Hobson and Rowls did exactly that.

With Hobson at the wheel, they safely swerved past the lunatic who was now hopping around in their wake and gesturing very rudely.

"Well done, ol' Hobbsy," cried Rowls. "I say! He looks like a rum chap, doesn't he?"

"He certainly does. He won't be hitching a lift anytime soon acting like that!"

"I do hope we don't come across him again during our Harvest Festival Holiday adventures! Anne would throw a fit if we had to deal with a rascal like that!"

"I dare say she would, Master Rowls!" agreed Hobson as he joined the roaring motorway and they both laughed at the thought of lanky Anne Weghourst having to deal with a such shifty chap.

Once on the motorway they took the outside lane and Hobson pressed down firmly on the accelerator. The danger had passed, for now, and Rowls could finish telling Hobson about the plans they had for the Harvest Festival holidays. "As I was saying, me and Corky and Anne and George and Coyley the dog - we're going to go to EVERY Burnley game for the next six weeks!"

"Crikey!" exclaimed Hobson. "Five of you! Like the Famous Five! In fact, did you know young Master Rowls, that the Famous Five are 80 years old today?"

It was true! The Famous Five were first in bookshops 80 years ago today.

"Golly!" said Rowls.

[Boydesque]

Brilliant eagerly awaiting chapter 2

[Herts Clarets]

5 go mad in Dorset my own personal favourite.....

https://youtu.be/82mBDJSD3qM

[Buxtonclaret]

Very good, Rowls.
But have to admit to preferring her Secret Seven books.

[lakedistrictclaret]

Did Aunt Growler's picnics include lashings of ginger beer?

[Rowls]

Brilliant eagerly awaiting chapter 2

If only he could afford a proof-reader and an editor, Rowls felt certain he'd allready be a millionaire author or childrens book's!

[Rowls]

5 go mad in Dorset my own personal favourite.....

https://youtu.be/82mBDJSD3qM

Five on Kirrin Island would have to be my favourite but I loved them all.

I didn't like the Comic Strip presents because I was just at the perfect age to love the books sincerely and these guys were clearly taking the lemonade.

[Rowls]

Very good, Rowls.
But have to admit to preferring her Secret Seven books.

Secret Seven were wet compared to the Famous Five. Nothing Secret about those ninnies at all!

[Volvoclaret]

Sorry lake district, lashings of ginger beer never said in the books.

[Rowls]

Did Aunt Growler's picnics include lashings of ginger beer?

"Lashings all round!" cried Dick.

[Rowls]

Sorry lake district, lashings of ginger beer never said in the books.

"Let's not let trifles get in the way!" implored Anne, desperately trying to find a way into the storyline.

[Hibsclaret]

Just to be pedantic Anne was the youngest girl

Apart from that very good.

[Hipper]

I read some of these books but that's all I remember!

Except that my brother had also read them and he had a penchant for tearing off and eating the sides of the pages. Very strange.

[Volvoclaret]

Famous 5 great, Secret 7 ok, Rovers 11 shite.

[Rowls]

I read some of these books but that's all I remember!

Except that my brother had also read them and he had a penchant for tearing off and eating the sides of the pages. Very strange.

[Clarets4me]

Learnt to read on these books ... loved them as a kid !

Uncle Quentin was a strong silent type, Aunt Fanny had a lot to put up with !

[Volvoclaret]

Was Fanny from Burnley?

[IanMcL]

My concern lies with Chauffer Hobson, still driving children around in his old age.

Did Hobson have a choice?

[lakedistrictclaret]

Just to be pedantic Anne was the youngest girl

Apart from that very good.

To be even more pedantic, Hibs, Anne was the YOUNGER girl

[IanMcL]

'The luxurious Rolls Royce purred as they darted through the country lanes'

Rowls Royce surely?

[gawthorpe_view]

Gosh Jolly!

[GordonvaleClaret]

"Once on the motorway ......".

There weren't any motorways 80 years ago, JK. Do your research before publishing on here.

Here's a sample of what Dr Google can offer:
On 5 December 1958, 2,300 drivers drove along a new road for the first time…and straight into the history books. The eight-mile section of road they were driving on was the Preston bypass – the very first motorway in Britain, which is now part of the M6

[Rowls]

My concern lies with Chauffer Hobson, still driving children around in his old age.

Did Hobson have a choice?

Hobson was, of course, spritely in his demeanour despite being well over 50 years of age. He adored the children and delighted to see the smiles on their faces. He shared equally in their joy. His satisfaction at watching them grow and prosper was matched only by his deference. Although he'd never admit it publicly, the highlight on his year was when Rowls Snr, head of the household, ordered him to collect young Master Rowls from Fetes.

The children for their part, conspired with Old Hobson to make him an unofficial sixth member of their gang. As long as he knew his place.

[lakedistrictclaret]

"Once on the motorway ......".

There weren't any motorways 80 years ago, JK. Do your research before publishing on here.

Here's a sample of what Dr Google can offer:
On 5 December 1958, 2,300 drivers drove along a new road for the first time…and straight into the history books. The eight-mile section of road they were driving on was the Preston bypass – the very first motorway in Britain, which is now part of the M6

But Rowls's story is quite clearly set in the present day.

[Rowls]

'The luxurious Rolls Royce purred as they darted through the country lanes'

Rowls Royce surely?

It crossed my mind but despite my intelligence, wit, humour and other qualities one of the things I never possess is any affectation.

[Rowls]

"Once on the motorway ......".

There weren't any motorways 80 years ago, JK. Do your research before publishing on here.

The story is set today, GordonvaleClaret!

This is apparent when Hobson points out how old the Famous Five are! Cripes!

[Nonayforever]

Crikey, what a spiffing tale. An adventure unfolding right on our doorstep.
Will the dirty villan reappear? Will Corky roar on the Clarets ?
Can George afford a twix ?

Fingernails are down to the quick.

[Stayingup]

I thought that Johnstone, Reilly, Smith, Ormond and Turnbull couldn't be that old.

[welsbyswife]

Very good, Rowls.
But have to admit to preferring her Secret Seven books.

I concur. Secret Seven much better. Also loved the Three Investigators. Like a yank version of the same thing!

[Billyblah]

My concern lies with Chauffer Hobson, still driving children around in his old age.

Did Hobson have a choice?

Well it was a choice of either Hobson....or Uncle Jimmy.
I know which one I'd prefer!

[Rowls]

Well it was a choice of either Hobson....or Uncle Jimmy.
I know which one I'd prefer!

Uncle Jimmy is far too over-qualified to do Old Hobson's job.

And, TBH, I think those snotty kids take a few liberties with soft Old Hobson.

Especially that Rowls character.

[TonbridgeClaret]

I've just finished writing the first two of a six-book series of children's books, with a deliberate nod to Enid Blyton. The first one comes out before Christmas, but I'm not certain I'll sell as many as her!
I must say, it's been a lovely change from writing crime thrillers.

[dougcollins]

A friend of mine (successful published author) says childrens' books 'are a bvgger to write'.

[TonbridgeClaret]

A friend of mine (successful published author) says childrens' books 'are a bvgger to write'.

Your friend is right, and they're harder to get published!

[Hipper]

"Once on the motorway ......".

There weren't any motorways 80 years ago, JK. Do your research before publishing on here.

Here's a sample of what Dr Google can offer:
On 5 December 1958, 2,300 drivers drove along a new road for the first time…and straight into the history books. The eight-mile section of road they were driving on was the Preston bypass – the very first motorway in Britain, which is now part of the M6

May be they also grove into works of fiction?

[claretbob]

Funny how fashions change. I don’t recall reading any Enid Blyton books growing up in the early 70s but my kids love them. Special shout out for the Mystery series particularly Fatty and Mr Goon who have them in stitches.

[!aiboforceN]

In over 50 years of having her works first published, Enid Blyton wrote over 750 books.
For 3-4 years - during the mid-1950s, they were being published at a rate of more than one book per week!

Something about that sounds "distinctly foreign" to me, George!