I too am one of those that simply cannot understand why kids ignore conkers! As a child in the early 60’s, me and my brothers and/or friends would endlessly throw sticks into the big conker trees around (Amersham, Bucks) waiting to see who could snag the largest conker of all! Before then, I’d peddle off on my trike as a 5/6 yr-old which had a ‘boot’ on it and fill it with conkers.

Now I have children of my own (they’re 15 now – twin boys) and they’ve never shown the slightest interest in conkers even though I live in a Staffordshire village with the necessary trees.

I blame the electronics. Even I’m pretty hooked on them!

Yes, I dread winter too, never used to ,maybe it is a symptom of growing older. Now I understand some peoples’ desire to escape the British winter. Enough ! we still have a soft Autumn to enjoy and the last couple of days have been beautifully sunny.