Tom's Field a Change

 To carry on the story of Tom's Field in 1993 there was a change in ownership ! It was a daunting prospect to take on this well loved place; to retain the character, charm, and the customers who had loved it because of the way Tom had run it.

Part of the delight of the site for regulars lay in the neglect and quaint, old-fashioned air – even down to the sight of a seemingly medieval Acme wringer, we still have kept wringer mark 2 much to the delight of many children who have put inummerable stretchy plastic men through it.

We set about our task of taking over as sensitively as possible, aware that there could be much resentment to fundamental changes that might damage the very reasons why they loved it so much.

The schools and scouts area in the 1950s

We knew that Tom was well loved by many people because of his unique personality. We also knew that he had found it increasingly hard to manage on his own, which he had done for the previous few years. After his father died he didn’t have any help as far as we know. Sometimes he would escape for a break at lunchtime and, in his eagerness, one day locked an unsuspecting camper in the shop! At one point, some women campers, realising how difficult it was for Tom to manage, armed themselves with bucket and mop to help out in the toilet block on a voluntary basis. 

Tom collecting campers rubbish

We have always attemped to preserve the qualities of basic tenting camping without becoming a caravan park.