Woodland Scene: Problems at Brock Manor

By Michael Cockett

‘Problems at Brock Manor’ is the second book from Michael, in the Woodland Scene series of light-hearted and humerous stories about the country lives of humanoid animals. Book I: ‘The Badgers of Brock Manor’ was centered on the lives of the Badgers who live in Brock Manor and their servants. Bastien Badger, who inherited the Manor from his father in preference to his elder brother Basil (Boots) Badger, managed to stop the Weasel family from taking over his Manor with help, but in this sequel to Book 1, Bastien, has problems holding on to his Manor. The problems are from within his own family, particularly his Aunt Blanche, younger sister to his deceased father, Sir Regnault Badger, who thinks, Basil, her favourite nephew, should have inherited the Manor as she wants to live there. Bastien Badger has a great deal of help from his loyal gardener Bobby Bunny and the Bunnies, who eventually, through their ingenious activities, manage to help Bastien regain possession of his inheritance which, hopefully, will lead to an agreement on the future peaceful residency of the Manor, but who knows?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665597852

Michael Cockett

Michael David Cockett, a retired engineer and latterly a gardener, was born during WWII at Battle, Sussex, U.K., 1 mile from Battle Abbey, the site of the Battle of Hastings 1066. Because of this, Michael became interested in history and his aunt was convinced that her Cockett family had originated from France, possibly even being at the battle. She had found out from a friend that there were coats-of-arms, manor houses, castles and an outlaw. Michael, soon after his marriage to his late wife Linda, investigated her claims over the next 35 years, tracing his family history back to the year 1276 to Alan de Kacote, near Sundridge, Kent. The family hadn’t moved far in 700 years. His ancestors were farmers, yeoman and husbandmen. However, Michael’s family name had been changed from Kacote, the name derived from a building on the Pilgrim’s Way called a ‘Kald (cold) Cottage’, and changed to Cackott then Cackett and when his ancestor arrived in Battle, in 1773, the name had changed to Cockett. Michael found what his aunt had been told was true, but it did not apply to Michael’s ancestry, but it did influence his book.

Book preview

© 2022 M.D.Cockett. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted

by any means without the written permission of the author.

AuthorHouse™ UK

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403 USA

www.authorhouse.co.uk

UK TFN: 0800 0148641 (Toll Free inside the UK)

UK Local: 02036 956322 ([phone] from outside the UK)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed

since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do

not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-6655-9784-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-9785-2 (e)

Published by AuthorHouse 04/05/2022

The stories in this book are based on the Woodland Scene range of Soft-toys designed by Lin Cockett. The whole range of

18 tall Soft-toys can be bought as Tip-Top" Toy patterns from Cockett Crafts which include detailed making instructions.

Other books containing short stories of each of the other Woodland Scene animals are available.

Soft-Toy catalogues can be obtained by writing to:-

COCKETT CRAFTS. 1 Ryelands Grove, Leominster.

Herefordshire HR6 8QA

Tel: [phone]

ISBN 1 874294 02 X Paperback edition

revised edition 2009

Published by:

Tip-Top Publications. 1 Ryelands Grove, Leominster

Herefordshire HR6 8QA (Tel: [phone])

© 1991 M.D.Cockett

9851.png

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

With thanks to my late wife, Linda (Lin) who designed the wonderful range of collectable soft-toys from which my inspiration was generated to write these stories, and who drew some of the illustrations.

ILLUSTRATIONS

She read the note pinned to the door

It only took Bobby a few more pushes.

The boxes slipped and crashed to the floor.

... and the form of Basil stood up.

Beattie turned the key in the lock.......

He opened the door and there stood Bobby Bunny.

They ought to mind their own business!

WOODLAND

SCENE

10780.png

Problems at Brock Manor

by

M.D.COCKETT

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 BLANCHE BADGER APPEARS

Chapter 2 BASTIEN THE BRAVE

Chapter 3 BOBBY’S DISCOVERY

Chapter 4 BASIL ARRIVES

Chapter 5 BARADA RUNGARD!

Chapter 6 HEATED DISCUSSIONS

Chapter 7 FINAL DECISIONS

Image%201.jpg

She read the note pinned to the door

9936.png

CHAPTER 1

BLANCHE BADGER APPEARS

Bessie Beaver came to work in a very good mood. One might even say it was an exceptionally good mood. She had been presented with a ‘Service of Excellency’ Medal, for her work at the Manor, only the Friday before.

There had been a special party in her honor, and everyone from the village and staff of Brock Manor had been there.

This morning she breezed round the Manor doing all her chores, making sure all her staff knew what they were to do that day.

As she passed by Silvia Shrew, she teasingly said, That’s an unusually strong perfume you’re wearing today, isn’t it?

Silvia said that she never wore strong perfumes to work, and the funny thing was, she thought one of the other members of the staff was wearing it.

It was a very strong perfume, and it wafted about, all over the Manor. It could be detected for days, even on the Thursday which was the half-day for the staff, when they all left, as usual, at lunch-time. Bastien was left in the Manor with Bessie Beaver, and for about an hour they discussed the work required for the next week.