Monthly Archives: July 2021

Not wanting to teach

Posted on 16th July 2021 by Ian

The Year 10 students have all been withdrawn from Religious Education, the time saved is to be devoted to English, maths and science.  Maths seems a particular problem in schools, basic numeracy is a challenge for many of the students. … Continue reading →

Posted in This sceptred isle | 2 Comments

A wet Saint Swithun’s Day?

Posted on 15th July 2021 by Ian

In primary school days in High Ham, the approach of Saint Swithun’s Day would create a sense of trepidation. What would happen if rain fell on 15th July? Would a single shower on a single day mean that our six … Continue reading →

Posted in This sceptred isle | Leave a comment

Gitanes and job advice

Posted on 14th July 2021 by Ian

It was careers morning for the Year 10 students, a series of talks on their options when they complete Year 11 in a year’s time. The options seemed more plentiful than in the 1970s, there was something for everyone. From … Continue reading →

Posted in Unreliable memories | 2 Comments

A Melancholy Accident

Posted on 13th July 2021 by Ian

Researching my forebears on Ancestry, I discovered the sad story of the death of Thomas Crossman, my great great grandfather.  In the Western Gazette of Friday, 18th April 1884, the report appeared. HUISH EPISCOPI MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT: On Monday afternoon, a … Continue reading →

Posted in The stuff of daily life | Leave a comment

An Englishman on the Twelfth

Posted on 12th July 2021 by Ian

I have clear memories of this evening twenty-seven years ago. It was the evening of the Twelfth of July of 1994. There were tired feet and sunburned foreheads and heads aching from being overdressed and dehydrated on a hot summer’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and about | Leave a comment