Hearing about a Norfolk childhood in the 1940s turned out to be one of the delights of a ‘good neighbours’ scheme for Judy Langford.

Mrs Langford has been talking to people, including Norma Reynolds, 84, since the start of the first coronavirus lockdown as part of North Walsham Good Neighbours.

She said: “I really enjoyed my chats with Norma and with the other people I phoned. I’m sure it helped me as much as them.

“When things were easier, Norma and I met up for coffee. Our lives are back to normal now but we still meet for a good chat.”

Mrs Reynolds said she “could not express” how grateful she was to the Good Neighbours, and said she enjoyed having someone to chat to and share her stories with. 

She said she grew up in Corpusty, near Aylsham, with nine sisters and two brothers.

"Mrs Reynolds said: “We were classed as a poor family but I had the happiest of childhoods. I never had toys to play with, not even at Christmas. 

“We would hang up a sock and Santa would put in a few nuts and an orange. 

“Come summer and with nearly all the other children in the village we spent our time trying to catch rabbits in the corn fields. 

“Then we would cool off in the river. 

“Sundays was chapel in the morning and Sunday school at church in the afternoon. 

“An ice cream man came to the village and we would pick flowers from our garden to give to him. 

“He would then give us a free ice cream. A wonderful childhood.” 

The Good Neighbours group has about 70 volunteers, and its chairman, Richard Barker, said they were always looking for more. Anyone interested can email assistance@nwgoodneighbour.org.uk or 01692 558231.