A New Blog Unearths a Lifetime of Writing and Wanderings

In November 2023, the community lost a quietly extraordinary voice with the passing of Ronnie, a long-time resident of Llanymynech and cherished member of BODs walking group. Known for her warmth, wit, and curiosity, Ronnie left behind a remarkable archive of writing, articles, diaries, and books that span decades and explore the delightfully unexpected.

From spoons and stiles to inkwells and roundabouts, Ronnie’s work captured the charm of everyday life with humour and insight. Alongside her husband Chris, she also documented their long-distance walking adventures, creating vivid, heartfelt records of the landscapes they loved.

Following her passing, her daughter Anne-Marie uncovered boxes of notebooks, files, and unpublished pieces, an overwhelming yet inspiring discovery. “I always knew Mum wrote a lot,” Anne-Marie said, “but the sheer volume was astonishing. I labelled it ‘to sort on a rainy day’ and that day finally came in January.”

The result is Ronnie’s Ramblings, a new online blog dedicated to sharing Ronnie’s writing with the world. Each post is paired with photographs from her personal collection, bringing her stories to life. The blog attracted over 1,100 views in its first month, supported by active Facebook and Instagram pages with a reach of 21,000.

Anne-Marie recently met local author Dave Andrews at Oswestry Library, who offered guidance and encouragement for future plans. “Dave was incredibly enthusiastic about Mum’s writing style,” she said. “I’m now preparing some of her longer, locally focused pieces for print this winter.”

The project is more than a tribute; it’s a living archive. Anne-Marie hopes that book sales and community support will help sustain the website annually. Any surplus funds will be donated to Llanidloes Memorial Hospital’s Garden Palliative Suites, where Ronnie received exceptional care in her final weeks. “Their kindness was phenomenal,” Anne-Marie added.

Ronnie’s Ramblings is a celebration of storytelling, memory, and the quiet brilliance of a life well lived. It invites readers to rediscover the world through Ronnie’s eyes—one spoon, stile, and scribble at a time.

Visit www.ronniesramblings.co.uk to read the blog.