The Swallows

Not deterred, a major project got under way with the assistance of friend and handyman, John Matthias. The absent sections of the wall were replaced, doors hung, floor laid.

By this time summer had arrived and the swallows were still nesting in the beams, one young family experiencing a premature move from one home to another, when the nest they had hatched in fell to the floor due to the banging and vibration of the restoration work.

Pat, Tex’s wife, who was painting the rebuilding, collected them. Not yet able to fly the baby birds were placed in another old unused nest. The mother quickly found, reared them and eventually they flew away. Now the doors could be closed!

With the hut now secure, floor and walls replaced, within weeks the ‘gym’ was operational. A floor to ceiling ball, speed ball and a new punchbag and ring corner posts supplied by Geoff Woodward, Tex’s nephew, a good ex-amateur boxer, were installed along with mirrors and the obligatory boxing posters.