My Aunt became a Christian Scientist, influenced by an artist friend who lived in Manchester. She passed her ideas on to my mother and after a while my mother became a wishy-washy version herself, never quite at the heart of the movement, but reading a lot, which was a necessity, because Mrs Mary Baker-Eddy based… Continue reading Pre WW2,1930 to ’39. in order, Christian Science as I Found It
Pre WW2, 1930 to ’39, in order, Enforced Holidays 2
Floss was a handyman at Ramsgate’s huge funfair called Wonderland. He worked on the Big Dipper. Early every morning he sent two cars round the track loaded with sand bags, watching the reaction of the wooden structure as the car went round, to gauge any weaknesses. Next it was my turn for a free, if… Continue reading Pre WW2, 1930 to ’39, in order, Enforced Holidays 2
Pre WW2, 1930 to 1939, in order, Enforced Holidays
Parents used to make strange decisions, with the best intentions and even self- sacrifice, but with little realisation what they were condemning their children to. Single parenting is not, and never was, easy, conscience has to be weighed against pragmatism, welfare, economic resources and what is possible. My mother decided, I should not be kicking… Continue reading Pre WW2, 1930 to 1939, in order, Enforced Holidays
PreWW2, 1930 to ’39, School Excursions
PARIS Looking back to the 30s, and the way children accepted discipline almost unreservedly, and taking into account what we got up to in Paris, I am amazed that teachers still take School excursions today. One Easter we had a school excursion to Paris. We went everywhere and at or some places I think the… Continue reading PreWW2, 1930 to ’39, School Excursions
The Costs Of Tony’s Ego
I’m talking about the overall costs, not just the cost of the farewell bonanza, which I would find hilarious, if it wasn’t for the bad taste, the arrogance, the cost to the country in conception terms and the financial costs also. I have never heard of a politician going on a farewell trip round the… Continue reading The Costs Of Tony’s Ego
The Extended Family Heading For Doomsday
In re-examining some of the statements I have made in the past, I’m wondering if the nanny state is as much responsible for the loss of the extended family as a drop in the birth rate. Let me go back in history. In 1931 my whole family fell apart. There was only unemployment benefit, and… Continue reading The Extended Family Heading For Doomsday
Pre WW”, 1930 to ’39, in order, Discipline as a Concept
I have had to exercise discipline on others, I have been the recipient of it being implemented in almost every form, from lines to a leather belt, and more than anything I have had to exercise it on myself, often unsuccessfully. I therefore believe punishment in any form is transient, and in excess is self… Continue reading Pre WW”, 1930 to ’39, in order, Discipline as a Concept
Pre WW2, 1930 to 39, in order, The Terraced Wedge
We finally moved from the awful flat to a house we all called ’76’. My brother could now come home to be educated. 76 was close enough to 88, my grand- mother’s house, for her to help out when Willie had to work late. Unless one has never lived in a terrace house on the… Continue reading Pre WW2, 1930 to 39, in order, The Terraced Wedge
Pre WW2, 1930 t0 39, How Schools Mould Character
I was on board a corvette in Belfast Harbour; while repairing a set and talking to the wireless operator, an officer stuck his head into the office and said “Williams…” and then he stopped. “I thought you were Williams, ” he said, “You sound just like him.” I smiled, he left and I got on… Continue reading Pre WW2, 1930 t0 39, How Schools Mould Character
Pre WW2, 1930 to 39, in order, The Secondary School 1
Oxbridge and ex-Public School staff ran our school on Public School lines – as closely as one could for a day school. We had PT every day, vaulting over boxes, doing running somersaults, walking the high beam and everything one can imagine doing in a fully equipped gymnasium, including a shower afterwards. We played seasonal… Continue reading Pre WW2, 1930 to 39, in order, The Secondary School 1