"...Amongst the vivid memories from my own childhood is a picture of bright green fields on an early spring morning with a clear blue sky, and across the landscape a steam train puffing dense white clouds of smoke.

That image was brought back to my mind by Hugh Robinson, when, on one of his regular visits to "Love Forty", the Sunday afternoon magazine programme on BBC Radio Ulster, he described in great detail scenes from his own childhood days at Ballyhay, halfway between Newtownards and Donaghadee.

Hugh's contributions to the programme are important. While they are all personal, based on his own experiences, there are very many people in the second half of life who know exactly what he talks about. He remembers many of the details which most of us have long forgotten but which we all recognise.

Hugh's craft is as a writer. These stories were written for radio, to be heard in the voice of the author. Their production now in written form adds another welcome dimension..."

WALTER LOVE