My name is Robin Merrall.

I lived in Upton from 1971 to 1978 with my Mum and Dad (Roy and Audrey), my brothers Kim and Michael and my sister Lorraine. My Dad was posted to RAF Scampton and our 'quarters' were in what is now privately owned bungalows in Main Street.
We lived at Number 1.

I remember in those days that we would go to the junior school in Willingham by Taxi and when we went up to 'The Big School' in Sturton then we would be picked up by the coach driven by Harry Williams..a cracking character himself. Pick up point being the Rose & Crown Car Park. I can remember many of the character families with fondness as they were happy times for me and was always made to feel welcome.

I wonder if there is anyone in the village these days that would remember me. I remember Mrs Fotheringham, for whom on many  occasions l would go to the little Fish & Chip Shop in the village on the Saturday morning.

Mr & Mrs Till, both sadly gone, who l would work some hours in their small plot of land across the road from their house. I would get a whole £1, a Kings ransom to me then, some of which would go on a bag of scallops from the chippie. Mr and Mrs Kelsey ran the Dairy back then.

The Watson's owned the Farm at the bottom of Church Road in '78 and l remember a year or so before going to Bottesford on the back of an open trailer pulled by tractor with Ingram and Callum. A fair old trek when you can only go around 30mph tops. I wonder where they are now along with Aaron, Rhuanne and Rowena. I remember also one of the other Farms owned by the Slinger Family and of Jill.

The 1976 drought and the eclipse that damaged my eye spring to mind along with the 1977 Silver Jubilee Street Parties that were arranged bring back the fondest memories. Other names that are remembered are Liz Barnes, l recall her piano pieces. There was Mr Roberts, who lived in the house immediately behind ours and l know that l used to frustrate him with my constant request to have my football back. I think it was the Broadbent's that ran the corner shop at the further corner of the village from us in those days. My recently departed Aunt 'Jacqueline Dixon' used to live in the village too for while.

On the occasion of my Aunts funeral in May this year l had the opportunity to drive through the village and wished l had the time to stop. I would like to be able to do so on my next visit and to see if there are any of the villagers that may remember 70's village life during my time there.