I’ve never been to Budleigh Salterton, on Devon’s southern coast, so I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the author’s reminisces of his youth in Budleigh Salterton but he seems genuine enough in his affection for the town once name checked in an episode of “Black Adder”.

“Budleigh Salterton in Bygone Days” is a straight forward exercise covering the recollections of an old man who grew up in Budleigh. It is a straight forward text and without garnishing or high falutin’ language but that adds to the book’s nostalgia. I can’t imagine it would hold much interest to anyone who has never been to Budleigh Salterton or an obsessive “Black Adder” fan but those with long links to the village may enjoy it. ( )