PENSIONER Len Bullock celebrated his 70th birthday last Wednesday stirring up childhood memories at the place that provided a safe haven during the worst of wartime bombing.

Len was treated to a special tour of Halsway Manor near Crowcombe where he spent six months as an evacuee during World War Two.

And he was joined by fellow evacuee Pam Skelton, with both having their first proper look at their former home for almost 70 years.

Pan and Len were both living in Bristol when they were sent to Halsway - now England's only residential centre for traditional music, dance and song but then a private home owned by the Mardon family.

The grade two* listed building had been taken over by the Bristol Corporation to provide a home for between 15 and 20 babies and toddlers.

Len and his twin brother Gordon were just 18 months old in late 1940, but his memories of his time at Halsway are happy ones.

He had only driven past the manor until an open day a few weeks ago which led to the invitation for a private tour on his birthday.

"Although I was very young I can remember some things about my time here," he told the Free Press this week.

"I can remember the grand staircase and I can also remember doing something naughty."

With the Mardon family still living in one part of the manor, the youngsters were often treated to a ride in the back of their open-topped car.

Len and his brother had been promised a trip but when Len threw a ball over the wall of the garden, the treat was withdrawn.

"I can remember my brother howling because I couldn't go with him but I just sulked," said Len, who now lives in Weston-super-Mare.

"When my wife asked me what I wanted to do for my 70th birthday, I said I would really like to come back to Halsway - and I'm so glad I did.'

For Pam, now living in Taunton, her experience of Halsway was even happier because her mother Marjorie Richards was matron of the temporary refuge.

She was about four and her younger sister Anne just 18 months when they spent a year there in 1941.

Her father was a doctor in Bristol and wanted his family out of the city as the war rumbled on.

"I was terrified of the war and all the noise and I just remember Halsway as being so tranquil," said Pam.

"I remember a wonderful summer and playing in the hay and my only bad memory is the gardener chopping up a snake.

"It was just like a holiday for me.

"I too have only driven past it over the years and it's lovely to come back for a proper look around."

Photo: Steve Guscott