Small Talk at Wreyland. First Series

A warm, intimate portrait of life in a quiet Devonshire hamlet unfolds through the eyes of a native who has spent a lifetime collecting the village’s stories, sketches, and family reminiscences. The author weaves together personal memories—of childhood rooms, garden vistas, and the rhythm of the Wrey’s waters—with excerpts from old diaries and letters, all accompanied by his own photographs of the manor and surrounding landscape. The result is a richly textured snapshot of a place where everyday moments sit beside the echo of centuries‑old anecdotes.

Beyond the gentle descriptions of gardens and parlours, the book captures the urgency of preserving fading local knowledge. Tales of an old man’s recollection of King Charles I’s beheading, a child’s vivid memory of the Great Fire of London, and generations of family lore are presented with humility and humor. Listeners are invited to linger over the simple yet profound conversations that have shaped this secluded corner of Devon.