At Christmas 2019, I was fortunate to receive a very special pen, skilfully created by Mr Simon Webb. His sister, Julie, chose it as her Christmas present to me. She had gone to great lengths to source a suitable wood from which the main barrel of the pen would be made, one which would be personal to me. Knowing that I used to frequent Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield as a child, she contacted one of their Park rangers for assistance in obtaining some wood for the pen. The chosen wood was from a holly tree in the Park; a common sight along with gorse bushes and oak and silver birch trees. This beautifully pale wood has been expertly incorporated into my pen, which you can see below:
Sutton Park lies about six miles from the centre of Birmingham. It is now designated a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which incorporates the former hunting grounds of King Henry VIII. Encouraged by his friend, Bishop John Vesey, the King gifted the land to the town’s residents in 1528. Although the town of Sutton Coldfield has changed and expanded greatly over the centuries, the Park has survived intact; its 2,400 acres providing a peaceful retreat from the noise and pace of everyday life surrounding it.
I moved to Boldmere, about two miles from Sutton Coldfield, at the age of three. I’d previously lived very close to Elmdon Airport (now Birmingham International Airport), but my parents wanted to move away before the larger and noisier jet aircraft stared using the airport. We stayed in Boldmere for about five years, until my parents split up and my mother and I relocated to Staffordshire. I can recall many happy trips to Sutton Park as a young boy. I enjoyed summer picnics by Powell’s Pool with my mum, watching the yachts and people falling
out of them into the choppy water. Also, my dad and I used to go and watch the model aircraft and kites flying near Holly Hurst wood. Sometimes I’d get to fly my own kite, which would almost lift me off my feet in the strong winds which made this particular high point of the Park so popular.
When my dad died in 2013, I was unable to attend his funeral. Instead, I decided to remember him by visiting Sutton Park and walking around the area where we flew kites and watched the
model aircraft flying. Sadly, none were airborne that day, but I could hear them in my head and I could almost smell the fumes from the fuel that powered them. All around me were familiar
trees and shrubs; many clumps of gorse and holly dotted the area, just they had when I was little. I haven’t returned since that day, although I have been meaning to for some time. That’s why I am so grateful for my holly pen, as a regular reminder of the Park. So far away and yet right by my side.
Last year, I noticed something growing in my front garden. I hadn’t planted anything, as I’m not a keen or knowledgeable gardener. On closer inspection, I could see that it was a small holly tree. How it got there, I do not know. It’s not really in the best place, but I haven’t got the heart to move it. Just as my pen has brought a little piece of Sutton Park to me, it now feels like another reminder of that place has come to stay.
Nigel Hunt
So touching, thanks for sharing your wonderful memories. I too have one of Simon's classic hand made pens, it is made of Jarrah, which is one of the worlds hardest woods and had been buried in the ground for approx. 100 years and is still in prime condition.