WE ARE entering a period when there will be many events associated with the centenary of the First World War. Much is also being made of the anniversary of Dylan Thomas who was born on October 26, 1914; however, here in the Cotswolds we also have much to celebrate as one of the truest of the sons of the Cotswolds, Laurie Lee, was born on June 26, 1914.

Although his actual birth was in Stroud his family moved to Slad when he was three. He lived there until he ‘Walked Out One Midsummer Morning’, aged 19, to London and eventually on to Spain.

He spent a year or so in Spain, often sleeping under the stars and fiddling on his violin to earn his keep. He later returned to Spain and witnessed local action during the brutal Spanish Civil War.

On his return he wrote poetry and completed several scripts for documentaries, mainly based in London. During this period his published poetry enabled him to become part of the cultural and artistic elite of the time.

After many false starts and rewriting he eventually completed Cider with Rosie anecdotal memories of his Slad childhood. His somewhat romanticised recollections written in poetic prose were a great success which enabled him to return to his roots in the Cotswolds, buying a cottage in the Slad Valley.

He wrote his other autobiographical books in the following years, remaining always very much true to the Cotswolds in spite of having an almost alter ego in his old London haunts.

He was finally laid to rest in Slad Churchyard in 1997.

For anyone who is interested, many events celebrating Laurie Lee’s centenary have been organised, coordinated by the Museum in the Park, Stroud.

TIM CHARSLEY

Cirencester