Val Reily – The Life and Times of a Feral Child

The Life and Times of a Feral Child

Step back in time to the village of Little Weighton in the 1940s and 50s with Val Reily’s
memoir, The Life and Times of a Feral Child.

Born in 1943, Val grew up in an era when village life was isolated and self-sufficient,
giving her the freedom to roam the Yorkshire countryside like a “feral child”.

This heartwarming collection chronicles her journey from a mischievous girlhood—marked by
memorable incidents like the “exploding bean can” and the ill-fated “fox fur mittens”—to
a life defined by her deep love for animals.

From her adventures with a donkey cart and a house-trained pig named Truffle, to her work at
local stables and her later passion for archaeology, Val’s stories are filled with humour and nostalgia.
This book offers a delightful insight into a bygone era, celebrating the characters, the community,
and the enduring spirit of a life well-lived in East Yorkshire.