FOR one unforgettable year in 1949, Bridget Ashton attended a school in Painscastle in Radnorshire, when she was 4 years old.

Now 78 years-old, Bridget has recently published a book about her childhood in Hay-on-Wye and has now teamed up with Cherry Williams of Llowes to organise an event where locals and some old classmates will be in attendance to share their stories of life in the area.

Bridget said: “I haven’t seen any of my classmates since 1950. My father was a beekeeper and we lived in a cottage called Top ‘o Lane, above Middle Pentre farm.

“I was sent off to school by myself, walking down to Middle Pentre where I joined Joyce Goodall who was a little older than me.

“We went the last mile unaccompanied. On the way, I passed unknowable terrors, wild horses, gobble-gobble turkeys and even a witch’s house. After some months, I was sent to walk to The Wern farm.

“There I joined Eileen Breese whose father drove us to school in his little black car.”

Bridget is looking forward to meeting old classmates, but admitted that she could only remember Eileen Breese, and Joyce Goodhall.

The school unfortunately closed shortly after Bridget and her family left Painscastle to go and live in Hay-on-Wye.

Bridget’s interest in Painscastle was revitalised when she took a look back in time whilst writing her book, Hay Before the Bookshops or the Beeman’s Family.

Discussing the social event and her book, Bridget told The Brecon and Radnor Express: “The book captures a way of life that no longer exists because not many people from at that time are around anymore, and I wanted to capture it before it’s too late.”

The event, named, ‘A Child’s Year in Painscastle 1949’ is free to all and starts at 6.30pm on September 22.

Bridget’s book has also inspired her to return to Hay-on-Wye, where she is further encouraging people to attend her old-fashioned Hay cooking event.

At the event, on September 20, attendees will describe their mother’s or grandmother’s favourite recipe at Green Ink bookshop.

Bridget’s book includes many stories from her mother’s 1953 diary. In it her mother often recorded what she cooked for her family.