On Wed, 29 Sep 2010, Sacha wrote:

The man who used to own this house - Edward Hyams - was one of the
first to try growing vines for modern wine making in England. In
fact, he grew them here where our greenhouses are now. I don't
think he was terribly successful though he did write one of his many
books on the subject!

And he is mentioned by writers on English viticulture since. My
first book on the subject was written by Gillian Pearkes in 1969 and
she mentions Edward Hyams.

And her brother is now our vicar. Strange coincidences, eh?

A small world, as they say. But he must be getting on in years, as must
she - if she is still alive.

David

--
David Rance
writing from Le Mesnil Villement, Calvados, France