The Enid Blyton Society

After reading Nigel's comment, I could say that I am very interested in reading the article in question. From what I gather from the comment, the article almost looks like John Curran's two books about Agatha Christie's writing process. This aspect really fascinates me the most especially both are my favourite authors! I really hope(very much!) that Tony will consider reprint the article in the next Journal so that wider and newer fans are able to read it.

Or post it on the website somewhere...

Hear! Hear!

Tony Summerfield wrote:Michael Rouse gave it as the reason for closing Green Hedges after No. 18, as he had had several complaints about it, including some from the family who were very offended by it!

I also said that nobody actually complained about the article, it was simply that Michael Rouse thought they might.

Now I am confused! I have re-read your post and see that Michael said he had received no letters about it. I wonder who the "several complaints" came from?

I am not sure why you are confused, but I had better repeat myself:-

Michael Rouse gave it as the reason for closing Green Hedges after No. 18, as he had had several complaints about it, including some from the family who were very offended by it! When I next spoke to him about two years later he admitted that he hadn't had any complaints at all, he simply said that at the time to give a convincing reason as to why he was closing Green Hedges.

so basically he lied?!!

This article is getting more and more intriguing by the minute!!

I have no idea why you would think I would not be confused, with two contradicting statements! It would appear that Rob has hit the nail on the head - he lied!

This really is getting intriguing. I think Tony may have to reprint that article either in the next Journal or somewhere on this website, or he'll have us badgering him about it for all eternity.

Tony Summerfield wrote:
So no, Pete, my article has never been in the Journal and as we get so much material for it I no longer have to worry about writing anything other than the editorial! But if we are ever short of articles, who knows!

Just checking to see if this article which I don't have could be considered for inclusion in a future Journal - I'm sure there will be a few others including myself who would like to read it.

Regards

Pete

pete9012S wrote:

Rob Houghton wrote:Now of course, everyone wants to read the article!!

I'm glad others are interested too.
Maybe Tony will consider it for future inclusion if we all behave ourselves!

pete9012S wrote:

Tony Summerfield wrote:So no, Pete, my article has never been in the Journal and as we get so much material for it I no longer have to worry about writing anything other than the editorial! But if we are ever short of articles, who knows!

Just checking to see if this article which I don't have could be considered for inclusion in a future Journal - I'm sure there will be a few others including myself who would like to read it.

It has piqued my interest immensely. Hope it will be included in the next journal.

As far as I know, from talking with Tony recently, the next Journal is quite full already and its only in its editing stages - which is great news - but maybe the article will be included when we have a thinner supply of articles!

Yes, perhaps when Tony needs some extra padding.

Back in 2016 Moonraker remarked he was at a loss to understand why complaints "rolled in" about the Green Hedges article, and neither can I see why this would happen, but as explained " ... Michael thought they might."

Tony's put forward an interesting summation with relevant comments and, together with three extracts taken from Enid Blyton's notebook, it's only four GHM pages long - meaning it'd probably transfer all right to the EBSJ. The stimulated fans could then rush to their collections in order to search out verifications.

An example is in Fig. 1 where mention is made of a 'Punishment Book.' Where oh where was the word 'punishment' even mentioned in the script? The passage of time takes its toll so a hunt commenced and sure enough it features in Chapter #10 (punishment book) during an altercation between Alicia's sister and the future Olympic champ - Amanda Chartelow.

Sally also used her own punishment book when rich little girl 'Jo' cheeks Amanda. The future sports star was not very popular at the time but it looks as if she became accepted after being rescued from almost certain death by none other than the irrepressible June. The word in question is actually mentioned at least a dozen times throughout yet I couldn't remember even 'one' instance, so Tony's excellent piece could certainly stand another airing in order that memories can be stirred.

Mr Young exists of course, but was there a 'Miss Greening' who took elocution? Limited as the memory is, I'm pretty sure there wasn't. There's no 'Juanita' either. One note concerns Belinda who steals out to give her brother some money. Can't recall such an occurrence, but in 'Claudine at St. Clare's' there's an 'Eileen' with a sibling named Edgar. He hung around St. Clare's for a while after losing his job and, although it can't be recalled whether or not his sister sneaked out to supply him with anything, he managed to communicate with her at times. In one instance the boy handed glamour girl Angela a note for Eileen and we can be damned sure Miss Favorleigh made hay out of that opportunity. Possibly the original idea of 'stealing out to give a brother some money' was transferred to St. Clare's.

Seeing the notes and relating them to 'Last Term' might supply a few moments of interest for EBSJ members.