Monthly Archives: April 2020

What would my aunt do?

Posted on 9th April 2020 by Ian

My aunt has been “shielded.” Being a sprightly eighty year old is not a sufficient weight to counter the fact that she suffered cancer last year and is now deemed to be vulnerable. Her daily drive to collect her newspaper … Continue reading →

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Frightening times

Posted on 8th April 2020 by Ian

My grandfather joined the Auxiliary Fire Service in London before the Second World War, becoming a section leader in the new National Fire Service when it was formed. His “tinlid” helmet is still a prized possession, a tangible, tactile connection … Continue reading →

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Door to door selling

Posted on 7th April 2020 by Ian

Was it car ownership that caused the demise of the travelling salesman? Did being able to regularly go to shops for ourselves mean there was no longer a need for the men (and it always seemed to be men) who … Continue reading →

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Learning through laughter

Posted on 6th April 2020 by Ian

Who was it that brought tea to England for the first time? I don’t remember. Was it one of those explorers from Elizabethan times? In my memory, it was. In memory, there was a schools television programme, probably on the … Continue reading →

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Picking flowers in Pitney Woods

Posted on 4th April 2020 by Ian

One evening last summer, I decided to walk to Pitney to celebrate my uncle’s birthday. Oddly, despite knowing every yard of the road, I looked at Google Maps to check the distance. It suggested an alternative route – a path … Continue reading →

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