What is this book?

[Wiseoldelf]

I'm trying to remember the name of a book from childhood and it is driving me spare.

Rough idea is about a family who loose home / job and go to live with granny / old aunt.

A lot of the story is in the garden - I think another kid becomes involved with the family somehow.

Eventually money is found from somewhere and the family convert the stables at the bottom of the garden into a cottage and can always be by their beautiful garden.

Awful description I know - but I really can't remember anything else about it.

Possibly by Enid Blyton though??

Can anyone help me pleeeasseeeeee? It's driving me crackers!

[newton]

its not the secret garden? Just a guess

[hester]

Is that the one where they cook a rabbit in a hay oven?

[Wiseoldelf]

Def not Secret garden. Don't remember rabbit in a hay oven either.... This is really bugging me now!
I spent HOURS last night on websites trying to jog my memory.

The only other thing I thought of was I think it involves the children helping with the PDSA. I'm sure there are lots of small tales about people who can't afford vets fees so go to the local PDSA van. Def think there was a horse with a stone in its hoof.

I read this in the 80's - but no idea when it was written.

[droitwichmummy]

Is it Toms' Midnight/Secret Garden? (clutching at straws for you!)

[juneybean]

Hmm I read a similar one but it didn't have the cottage in the end, mine was more along the lines that they're city girls and go to live with grandma and become more active and all that jazz lol

[Wiseoldelf]

Could be right about the city girls bit... but definately remember the stable block part of the story.

Are there any websites where you can put in parts of a story like this??

[savoycabbage]

No, it's not Tom's Midnight Garden. I loved that though. Is it the Children of Cherry Tree/Willow Tree Farm?

[Wiseoldelf]

It could be one of them.

I remember the books about the farm and the tramp / traveller who lived in a cave nearby so it's not that one by Enid Blyton.

Are those two part of the same series?

It's definately like that kind of Enid Blyton book, and the PDSA is def in it (I remember as my friend is now a vet for them) and ENid Blyton was a patron of the PDSA, so could be a connection there.

[Wiseoldelf]

Found it - It's The Children at Green Meadows

Phew- panic over.

[hester]

Let me know if they do bake a rabbit.

[Wiseoldelf]

Will do Hester.

I've ordered it off ebay - must be out of print now.
Better be good after all this faff!