Monica Edwards (1912-1998) spent much of her childhood in Rye Harbour, among the fishermen and other local characters thinly disguised in her series of 15 Romney Marsh books. Her stories are considered superior to those of most children’s authors of her time, primarily because of their realism: her children grow older during the series, and the things that happen are based on real-life people and incidents.
Storm Ahead, 1953, for example, is based on the Mary Stanford lifeboat disaster which Edwards witnessed. She knew all the crew members, all of whom perished, and her father was the vicar who conducted the mass funeral. The places are recognisable, too, though their names have been changed: Rye Harbour, Rye, Winchelsea and Camber Castle have become Westling, Dunsford, Winkelsea and Cloudesley Castle.
Here is a sample of some of the other Romney Marsh stories, all originally published by Collins, now by Girls Gone By.
Wish for a Pony, 1947, is the book to start with, because it introduces all the characters in Westling village who will appear in the subsequent books. The main character, Tamzin, is the daughter of the vicar, as was Edwards. Tamzin and her best friend, Rossi, are transformations of Edwards’ own daughter and her best friend. The dream does come true in this first book about pony-mad girls, but the stage is set for stories featuring smuggling, storms at sea, under-age driving, flying bullets, a rogue ferryman, poison pen letters and a love of the Romney Marsh area.
Cargo of Horses, 1951. When Tamzin discovers that horses are being shipped to the continent for the meat market, she enlists the help of whiskery old Jim Decks and his friends to rescue the animals. She, Rissa, Meryon and Roger then have to solve the problem of what to do with all the horses afterward.
The Nightbird, 1955. Some think this the most exciting of all Monica Edwards’ stories. The fishermen of Westling are in despair because French boats are poaching their fishing grounds. Four young friends enjoying life on the marshes – Tamzin and Rissa, Meryon and Roger – come up with a big idea. Could they sail a ghost ship, complete with eerie lights and noises, at night, to scare the French away? There are lots of problems to solve if they are to succeed, meaning fights and rescues, along with riding and sailing, and calamities as well as triumphs, before the end of a splendid adventure.
No Going Back, 1960. This story has also been called “one of the best this author has written”. The four friends realise they are on the way to adulthood, as the friendship between two of them ripens into something more and could well threaten the four-cornered alliance. This sympathetically handled situation provides a background for yet another exciting Romney Marsh adventure, featuring their involvement in the nefarious affairs of a rogue of a fisherman, an ex-hearse, a midnight fishing trip and a lifeboat rescue.
The Hoodwinkers, 1962. Tamzin, Meryon, Rissa and Roger discover that that old rogue Jim Decks is once again up to dubious activities. This time he is hoodwinking innocent Americans who, with their love of “history”, are convinced that Jim’s old boat belonged to William the Conqueror. Jim must obviously be wooed away from these money-making schemes to a more honest line of business. The discovery by Rissa of the drowned village of old Winklesea gives them all an idea.
No Entry, 1964. Shortly after a big national foot and mouth outbreak this story appeared, planted firmly on land rather than in the fishing community. Tamzin and her friends try to help save a farm and its sheep when an outbreak of foot and mouth hits the area. The farm ends up under siege, with the children on the inside. When the farmer has an accident, the children assume responsibility, which involves border-guard duties as well as under-age doctoring, before a successful outcome.
A Wind is Blowing, 1969, is a more serious story for older readers, showing a real understanding of young people’s problems and emotions. Meryon is blinded by ammonia while trying to prevent a bank raid and this threatens his deepening friendship with Tamzin. Imaginative use of a tape recorder, the machinations of a poison-pen letter writer, that mysterious fisherman Jim Decks, the patient training of a guide dog, an air crash and the prospect of a corneal graft operation all contribute to this moving final book in the Romney Marsh series.
Prolific and popular, and Children’s Author of the Year in 1960, Edwards – like Malcolm Saville – appeals to nostalgic adults as well as to children, which is why there is a strong Monica Edwards Appreciation Society. Its members came to Rye last November for a combined weekend with the Malcolm Saville Society.
For more information about the author visit the website for the author or for the Monica Edwards Appreciation Society or consult these titles by Brian Park: The Monica Edwards Romney Marsh Companion (2006) and Monica Edwards: the Authorised Biography (2010), published by Girls Gone By Publishers.