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Romney March is the setting for Mrs. Edwards's new story. Tamzin and Rissa, by now old friends to many readers, plan to camp in the Merrows' farm for part of their summer holidays. Disaster, however, threatens to intervene when they learn that there is foot-and-mouth disease in the district and the farmer is determined on complete isolation. Undaunted, Tamzin, Rissa and their friends arrive at the farm having first discovered a way of disinfecting themselves, and they are allowed to and when an accident occurs to Mr. Merrow, all the friends are involved in a full-time job running the farm and patrolling its boundaries. Incidents abound and the reader is kept thoroughly involved and excited by all that goes on. No Entry is right up to the high standard Mrs. Edwards has already set herself, and it is confidently recommended to those who enjoy first-class storytelling and really life-like characters.
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
31 people want to read
About the author
Monica Edwards
75 books23 followersMonica Edwards (November 8, 1912 - January 18, 1998) was a British children's and young adult writer.
Monica spent spent much of her childhood at Rye Harbour in East Sussex, encountering the fishermen and rural characters that later appear in her "Romney Marsh" series of books. In 1933 she married Bill Edwards and began publishing articles and verses in a variety of publications. She spent eight years as editor of a Correspondence magazine for parents before the publication of her first book Wish for a Pony in 1947.
In 1947 the Edwards family moved to Punch Bowl Farm in Thursley, South West Surrey, which became the setting for her other main series of books (as Punchbowl Farm).
Monica differed from many of her contemporaries - notably Enid Blyton - in that her characters grew older with the books until they reached the edge of adulthood, and the atmosphere of the books changed with the times.
In 1968, Monica's husband, working Punch Bowl Farm, was seriously disabled in a tractor accident. Monica stopped writing fiction. By the end of 1970, the Edwards had left Punch Bowl Farm.
Series:
* Romney Marsh
* Punch Bowl Farm
Monica spent spent much of her childhood at Rye Harbour in East Sussex, encountering the fishermen and rural characters that later appear in her "Romney Marsh" series of books. In 1933 she married Bill Edwards and began publishing articles and verses in a variety of publications. She spent eight years as editor of a Correspondence magazine for parents before the publication of her first book Wish for a Pony in 1947.
In 1947 the Edwards family moved to Punch Bowl Farm in Thursley, South West Surrey, which became the setting for her other main series of books (as Punchbowl Farm).
Monica differed from many of her contemporaries - notably Enid Blyton - in that her characters grew older with the books until they reached the edge of adulthood, and the atmosphere of the books changed with the times.
In 1968, Monica's husband, working Punch Bowl Farm, was seriously disabled in a tractor accident. Monica stopped writing fiction. By the end of 1970, the Edwards had left Punch Bowl Farm.
Series:
* Romney Marsh
* Punch Bowl Farm
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 11, 2012
I'm a lifelong fan of Monica Edwards' Romney Marsh stories featuring Tamzin, Rissa, Meryon and Roger, four firm friends, and a range of adult characters inhabiting the little village of Westling on Romney Marsh, from Tamzin's vicar father to the disreputable but charming old ferryman, Jim Decks. The stories always contain a mixture of ponies and the sea, often involve a bit of illegal (but not exactly dangerous) smuggling (of the baccy and brandy category) and usually give the children a problem to solve.
This is one with its feet planted firmly on land rather than in the fishing community as Tamzin and co. try to save Castle Farm, the Merrows and their sheep when an outbreak of 'foot and mouth' hits the area. First published in 1954, shortly after a huge national foot and mouth outbreak, but also with modern resonances for readers now.
The farm ends up under siege with the children on the inside. Responsibility is thrust upon them when Farmer Merrow has an accident and, after Meryon doing a bit of underage doctoring, the children end up taking on the role of border guards and housekeepers until the danger is past.
Characterised by the innocence of children's stories from an earlier age, the Romney Marsh books evoke memories of my childhood. I guess I'm showing my age.
This is one with its feet planted firmly on land rather than in the fishing community as Tamzin and co. try to save Castle Farm, the Merrows and their sheep when an outbreak of 'foot and mouth' hits the area. First published in 1954, shortly after a huge national foot and mouth outbreak, but also with modern resonances for readers now.
The farm ends up under siege with the children on the inside. Responsibility is thrust upon them when Farmer Merrow has an accident and, after Meryon doing a bit of underage doctoring, the children end up taking on the role of border guards and housekeepers until the danger is past.
Characterised by the innocence of children's stories from an earlier age, the Romney Marsh books evoke memories of my childhood. I guess I'm showing my age.
July 27, 2020
Very enjoyable. I read this one during the corona lockdown so it was very relatable:)
July 18, 2023
Not, I think, the best of Edwards' Romney Marsh stories, but still entertaining.
I think part of the problem is that the plot is neither quite realistic enough to be believed nor quite implausible enough that I simply accepted it. As a result I noticed the implausibilities, rather than skimming over them. The plot also lacks the manic delight of some of the other stories. The stereotyping of the gypsies and the fact that they are the antagonists of the book also leaves a bit of a foul taste in the mouth. As someone who first came across these books as a pony-mad child, I also have to note that this one has actually very little about the ponies in it.
Having said all of that, it is still a fun and easy read. The plot moves along nicely and has the delight of a good children's book in that nothing really bad happens and everything is neatly resolved at the end.
I think part of the problem is that the plot is neither quite realistic enough to be believed nor quite implausible enough that I simply accepted it. As a result I noticed the implausibilities, rather than skimming over them. The plot also lacks the manic delight of some of the other stories. The stereotyping of the gypsies and the fact that they are the antagonists of the book also leaves a bit of a foul taste in the mouth. As someone who first came across these books as a pony-mad child, I also have to note that this one has actually very little about the ponies in it.
Having said all of that, it is still a fun and easy read. The plot moves along nicely and has the delight of a good children's book in that nothing really bad happens and everything is neatly resolved at the end.
March 23, 2020
One of a series of which I've read only one other. Charming, fun. Somewhat from the same school as the Swallows and Amazons series or E. Nesbit's Bastable children books. Not as funny as the latter. If I hadn't ever visited Romney Marsh and didn't raise sheep, I might not savor the book as much as I do. As it is, I commend it happily. Four stars are probably too many but three are too tepid. It's old-fashioned, good-hearted YA fiction with a pervasive sense of place.
August 18, 2022
I loved it! I love how Tamzin & the rest of the group are so determined to beat the foot to mouth disease going across the marsh that they all douse themselves & the little amount of baggage they bring with them in disinfectant. They even douse her horse, Cascade! It's kind of itchy & rashy but they don't want to miss their holiday at Castle Farm for anything! Even though it was well known Farmer Merrow will be very upset when he finds out, because it could transport the germs on to his farm. It turns out it was a good thing that the kids had been there to help out when he got hurt & had to go the hospital. Everything ended up well, he was ok. It was just one of the books that you always kept reading until it was done.
I was always wondering what would they be doing next summer? What is their next adventure going to be?
I was always wondering what would they be doing next summer? What is their next adventure going to be?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews