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Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 16:03
by Anita Bensoussane
Being a fan of musicals, reading Journal 50 brought to my mind the words/phrases "Truly scrumptious" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". I think this Grace Lodge cover picture is my favourite of the fifty covers so far (even with the centrespread serving as a reminder of other gorgeous covers) and Tony's editorial, topped with the website banner, made me eager to get stuck in!

I had been looking forward to David Chambers' 'Where is Cuckoo Wood?' (accompanied by Enid's 'The Old House') and I was delighted to learn more about Enid Blyton as a young woman and see the pictures, especially the fairytale tower of Oakwood House. I enjoyed David's opening quotation from The Enid Blyton Book of Brownies as that book was a favourite of mine as a child. It's amusing to picture Enid, aged almost 27, sitting with her legs dangling down the sloping roof at the Attenboroughs' house at night, gazing at Cuckoo Wood. I wonder what the neighbours thought if they saw her?! And to think that she was still climbing trees at 29 - perhaps spied upon by Binkle and Flip! I hadn't known before that Cherry Tree Farm was the name of the farm next to Seckford Hall, where Enid stayed with the Hunts.

I enjoyed Stef's comparison of David Morton and Julian Kirrin and chuckled at her comment about those two boys being to blame for her expectation of high standards in men! I hope you meet your Dalian or Juvid one of these days, Stef!

Great to hear about Poppy's day at Seven Stories, and that she and Sue Webster were looked up to as experts by other visitors. Nice to see the photos too.

I had known next to nothing about illustrator Lilian Buchanan before, so William Connelly's article was a revelation. I borrowed quite a few Bobby Brewster books from the library as a youngster and loved the illustrations as well as the stories, but I had no idea there were as many as 30 titles! Like Julie, I'm impressed by the oil painting of the Kenley Ops room.

Looking at the cover of the Moral Problems book to which Enid Blyton contributed, it was fascinating to see her name appearing alongside the names of Bishops, Canons, Professors, etc. I was reminded not only of The Six Bad Boys but (because of the references to Scouts and the P.D.S.A.) The Children at Green Meadows. Su Rayton's (Shadow's) interesting personal reflections on The Story Book of Jesus seemed very apt, following on from the Moral Problems piece. I too coloured in the pictures in Mr. Pink-Whistle's Party in the mistaken belief that I was enhancing them!

Like Stef, I'm always thrilled to see the way Tony brings my contributions to life by the addition of suitable illustrations. At the top of my article, Edgar Hodges' Noddy looks terribly bland and blobby compared to the quirky, genuinely wooden-looking doll drawn by Beek. Shadow and Katharine may like to know that my family don't read my articles either. Ah well, at least that means our Journals won't become dog-eared from being passed round!

I'm glad Terry Gustafson highlighted the story 'The Two Cross Boys', about Tom and Willie, as I loved that tale as a youngster. It was also great to see Julie taking a look at the tales of John Hollins, detective - good little stories which tend to be overlooked.

Interesting that another Birns book has turned up (Play-Time), though the children in the cover illustrations look slightly stiff and dumpy.

A wonderful 50th Journal, and I look forward to seeing the 100th issue one of these days!

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 16:36
by Lenoir
My journal arrived today and I opened it excitedly and read the editorial!
Looking forward to reading this special issue over the next few days.

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 18:51
by Fiona1986
If I ever got something published in the journal I wouldn't be giving my parents of boyfriend the opportunity to say no to reading it!

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 19:06
by Julie2owlsdene
Good viewpoint of the latest Journal, Anita. I still can't get over how great this one really is. Tony kindly sent me a bigger picture of the oil painting of the Ops room. It's just brilliant. What a talent that lady had. I'd love to see the original. :)

8)

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 20:53
by Francis
I have just finished the Journal and can't get over how brilliant it is and how the articles meld
in together perfectly - well done to Tony as editor!

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 21:01
by Anita Bensoussane
Yes, Tony spends a lot of time selecting illustrations and fonts and arranging everything attractively and appropriately. I know that for my Noddy article Tony deliberately positioned the Beek goblin (page 69) so it looks as though he is dropping a bicycle bell on the head of the Edgar Hodges goblin! And Noddy and Big-Ears at the bottom of the same page are weeping, as if upset at the bowdlerised text!

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 21:27
by Francis
I hope he realises how much we appreciate his attention to detail - he's a genius.

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 21:52
by 7upromana01
Mine's not arrived. :? :?

EDIT: Just asked my mum, I do have it!

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 13 Mar 2013, 22:06
by Francis
Hooray! Get reading, Abi you'll love it.

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 14 Mar 2013, 08:31
by 7upromana01
It's really good! I've only read a bit of it. By the way, Poppy you look exactly like George on the side view picture!

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 14 Mar 2013, 09:10
by sixret
7upromana01 wrote:It's really good! I've only read a bit of it. By the way, Poppy you look exactly like George on the side view picture!
Yes! Agreed. I always thought Poppy is just like George based on her posts. When I looked at the pictures, it struck me how alike both of them are!

I have read all the posts in silence since 2006. Most of the time I don't need to log in. I have formed my opinion on some forumers here based on the Enid Blytons' characters! Purely my imagination based on their posts!

Eddie- julian
Anita- anne
Pete- definitely snubby
Nigel- uncle quentin with the humour
Fiona- darrell
Wayne- fatty
Su- one of their mothers
John-one of their fathers
And some others.

I hope I am not being rude. It just that my mind works like that. I know, maybe I am wrong.

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 14 Mar 2013, 09:25
by Eddie Muir
A very interesting post, sixret! :D

I'm more than happy to be compared to Julian. :D I wonder what Stef would say about this. :wink:

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 14 Mar 2013, 10:02
by Anita Bensoussane
I'm happy to be Anne, Sixret - and I agree that Pete as Snubby is exactly right, especially as Snubby's real name is Peter! Hope Pete is okay with that!

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 14 Mar 2013, 10:38
by Fiona1986
I'm happy being labelled a Darrell, I think we all know why you chose her for me! :wink:

Re: Journal 50

Posted: 14 Mar 2013, 15:41
by pete9012S
sixret wrote: I have formed my opinion on some forumers here based on the Enid Blytons' characters! Purely my imagination based on their posts!

Eddie- julian
Anita- anne
Pete- definitely snubby
Nigel- uncle quentin with the humour
Fiona- darrell
Wayne- fatty
Su- one of their mothers
John-one of their fathers
And some others.
.
Yes,I agree about Snubby! :D :D :D

Surely Nigel is Bill Smugs??

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