Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.herefordtimes.com
The broadcaster, who was born in Hereford and now presents ITV News Meridian, posted a video on social media after returning to Shobdon following a visit to host the Herefordshire Business Awards.
In the video, Teale reflects on his upbringing in north Herefordshire and the buildings that still connect him to his childhood decades later.
Standing outside the village church, he described it as “probably the only building” that remains unchanged from his early years.
Teale explained that the school he attended has since been rebuilt, while his parents no longer live in the family home where he grew up.
He recalled attending church every Sunday as a child and said generations of his family had been christened there, including his parents and grandparents.
The presenter also shared memories of community events held at the church, including flower festivals, food festivals and village dances.
Matt Teale alongside ITV News Meridian co-host Sangeeta Bhabra (Image: ITV)
“My dad used to run flower festivals and we did food festivals and in their early stages they were up here on this site,” he said, adding he remembers selling ice creams from a cart when he was seven or eight outside the church.
Teale described the church as encapsulating memories of a “proper village, rural childhood” and said he was “hugely grateful” for the experiences he enjoyed growing up in Herefordshire.
He also reflected on Shobdon Cricket Club, recalling helping create the ground and spending countless hours at the pavilion.
However, he revealed the cricket pitch has since disappeared and is now used for crops after the club folded around a decade ago.
The post prompted a wave of reaction online, attracting more than 390 reactions and almost 90 comments.
Many people thanked Teale for sharing the memories, while others used the comments section to reminisce about their own childhoods, village communities and the buildings that still connect them to their past.
Ending the video, Teale described Herefordshire as a “beautiful county” and said it was “very nice to be back”.
