Monthly Archives: April 2021

Contempt for books

Posted on 30th April 2021 by Ian

Books are increasingly treated with contempt, unread, tossed around, damaged. Few students have any conception of the power of books and how vulnerable they leave themselves in their obsession with social media. There was a feeling of sadness in gathering … Continue reading →

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Chasing the seagulls

Posted on 29th April 2021 by Ian

Yes, I know, there is no such thing as a seagull, they are simply gulls, but having grown up with the word, it is hard to let it go. A younger person might reasonably point out that the association of … Continue reading →

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Craving immortality?

Posted on 28th April 2021 by Ian

The Year 7 students suggested that the list of things for which people crave included immortality. They thought people wanted to live as long as possible. Had I remembered to do so, I would have shared a story from Atul … Continue reading →

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Vans

Posted on 27th April 2021 by Ian

In the 1970s, there were jokes about the M5 motorway being a rustic road. Perhaps it was because it ran into the West Country, through Somerset and into Devon. The stereotype of West Country people was of milk smock wearing, … Continue reading →

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Titanic tales

Posted on 26th April 2021 by Ian

Man-made disasters? The Year 7 students today gave quickfire answers. Buildings, bridges, vehicles, conflicts, “The Titanic,” said one. “Sir,” said another, “did you know it wasn’t really the Titanic that sank? It was her sister ship.” I said I had … Continue reading →

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