Saturday, 30 July 2011
Carnegie Shield at Royal Dornoch
Qualifying takes place on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in 36 holes of stroke play. The lowest score for the two rounds is recognised with the award of the Silver Medal. Higher handicap players qualify on Sunday and Monday, with the more accomplished golfers competing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The main competition is a scratch matchplay tournament.
On Thursday morning 32 players with the lowest scratch scores in qualifying compete in 16 matches for the right to progress to the next rounds. Friday morning the 16 is reduced to 8 and in the afternoon that 8 goes down to 4. Saturday morning sees two matches, with the winners competing in the final match in the afternoon.
This series of videos records the competition in 2010 and shows the opening day, the first hole of the final match, and the prize giving.
For the first time in quite a while, this years final was played out between two local heroes – Christopher “Chippy” Mailey and Alexander Macdonald. Mailey was the defending champion, and Macdonald had triumphed over 3 time winner Biggadike in their semi-final.
Both have been amongst the best players in the club for the last 10 years, or more so this contest was expected to be a real showdown, with the scratch players trading birdies.
In the event Mailey’s game deserted him and Macdonald ran out comfortably winning at 6 up with 5 to play.
The video shows how they played the first hole in glorious sunshine and followed by an expectant crowd.
Mailey pushed his drive to the right while Macdonald smoothed an iron into perfect position in the center of the fairway.
First with the approach, Macdonald eased a wedge into the heart of the green, about 12 feet short of the hole.
Mailey’s shot was much more difficult, coming out of thick rough, across an approach foreshortened by the large bunker and over the smaller trap guarding the green. His pitch landed nicely in the middle of the green, but ran on, slipping off the side. The next approach with the putter was close enough to ensure a 4.
But Macdonald made that putt un-necessary, stroking in his birdie. And he must have continued in the same vein.
Both weather and golf course were in the finest of conditions but the golfing gods deserted defending champion Mailey and Macdonald ran out the comfortable winner.
In his valedictory speech Macdonald graciously, in the true spirit of golf, acknowledged the misfortune suffered by Mailey and the generosity of 3 time winner Biggadike who he’d conquered on the last hole in the semi final earlier in the day.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Walk on Dornoch Beach in the Highlands
By the kids playground there were 4 RVs – caravans with a driver on the front. They’d obviously parked there (illegally) overnight and were in the process of getting the day started. Two were from Germany, one from France and the other from England. They’d all come a long way.
From there the beach is less than 50 yards away so a wander and paddle is the natural thing to do. Build up the appetite for Scottish breakfast
The video shows a visiting family having the entire beach to themselves – miles of glorious soft sand and rock pools when the tide’s out. With the hills in the background and that huge sky this place has to be as close to Paradise as we can get."
John o' Groats named Scotland's ugliest - UPI.com
EDINBURGH, Scotland, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- John o' Groats, on northern mainland Britain, is to receive the Carbuncle Prize as the ugliest village in Scotland, Urban Realm magazine announced.
The village of about 300 people will be honored with the award, also known as "Plook on the Plinth," The Scotsman reported. It finished ahead of a number of other beauty spots, including Inverness, Lochgelly and East Kilbride.
"Home to Britain's most northerly derelict building, this windswept outpost was marked down by our judges for its reliance upon tourist tat and its over-commercialization, evidenced most prominently by the famous John o' Groats signpost," Urban Realm said in its announcement Thursday.
The sign should point to New York, the North Pole and other notable places. But the magazine said tourists who want to get a picture must pay more than $25 to get the directional signs put in place.
Local residents said they hope that a scheme to renovate the remains of the John o' Groats Hotel into a visitors' center and tourist apartments will add to the village's attractiveness.
Dolphin watching worth £4m to Scotland - Scotsman.com News
By Frank Urquhart
THE Moray Firth's world famous population of bottlenose dolphins are worth £4 million a year to Scotland's tourism economy, a new report has revealed.The firth is home to the world's most northerly dolphin population - an estimated 130 bottlenose dolphins known locally as "loupers" or "tumblers".
And a report, commissioned by the Moray Firth Partnership, has shown that their presence in the firth is worth at least £4m to the local economy and supports more than 200 jobs in the sector through the overnight trips undertaken by tourists to see the dolphins.
Dolphin watching was a significant reason for 52,200 overnight visitors travelling to the East coast of Scotland, and 17,100 of these visitors considered seeing dolphins to be the main reason for their trip.
The findings were welcomed by Marion Macmillan, the chair of the partnership. She said: "We always knew that the dolphins were a great tourist attraction, but I don't think we realised just how important they were for a lot of tourists and that people often come specially to the area to see the dolphins and bring their spending money with them."
Ms Macmillan said it was important for the future of the tourism industry on the East coast of Scotland that the potential of dolphin watching in the Moray Firth was developed still further.
But she stressed: "At the same time is has to be sustainable. We must not put the dolphins under pressure.
"It is not a case of saying let's go for it - let's have as many boats out there as possible chasing dolphins. We absolutely can't do that. The dolphin operators are very responsible and they wouldn't want to do that but we have to find a way of developing this kind of tourism without putting these beautiful animals under pressure."
Ms Macmillan said the best way forward would be to develop land-based facilities for dolphin watching.
"I think we are unique in Europe in having such a fantastic way of seeing the dolphins without having to go out to sea," she said. "And I know that Highland Council, for example, are anxious to take that forward."
Richard Lochhead, the Moray MSP and Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, also welcomed the findings.
He said: "Dolphins are much loved inhabitants of Scotland's eastern waters and it is little wonder that many thousands of people plan especially to see them. But beyond their charm, they are also a very visible symbol of a healthy and sustainable marine environment."
Mr Lochhead added: "The Marine Scotland Act has been created to protect our wild species - like dolphins - while we also ensure that Scotland continues to benefit from the riches contained within our waters.MPUMinCharsCutOff:210 PageLength:2566
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BBC News - Scots 'tend to blame Labour' for cuts
Nearly three-quarters of people surveyed preferred spending cuts to raising taxesScots tend to blame the former UK Labour government for forthcoming spending cuts, according to a survey for BBC Scotland.Nearly 75% of the 1,000 respondents favoured cutting spending rather than increasing taxes to plug the deficit.
But the poll also suggests they would like the programme of cuts to proceed more slowly, a policy which has been advanced by Labour and the SNP.
The poll comes as the chancellor prepares to reveal his spending plans.
After the details are announced next week, Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney will calculate the impact upon Holyrood spending and announce his detailed proposals.
For the poll, Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,000 people in Scotland from 17-22 September. As with all such polls, there is a margin of error of +/- 3%.
On the issue of responsibility, the poll deliberately focused upon potential political consequences - excluding, for example, the option of blaming the banks.
Asked who was most responsible for upcoming cuts, 42% chose the former UK Labour government while 39% named the present UK coalition government.
A further 13% pinned the blame on the SNP Scottish government.Continue reading the main storyIn general, 74% favoured a focus upon cutting spending rather than increasing taxes.Those proportions, of course, might change once the cuts are actually announced and, more importantly, start to bite.
But it would seem that there is caution too. It appears from the survey that a big majority would prefer to cut spending more slowly.
Respondents were presented with two broad options. One was to "cut spending quickly even if it means immediate job losses because it will be better for the economy in the long-run". That latter point has been repeatedly emphasised by Chancellor George Osborne.
The second option was to "cut spending more slowly, to reduce the impact on public services and the economy". That is, broadly, the case advanced by Labour and the SNP.
Asked to choose, 81% plumped for slower cuts while 19% thought it was important to cut spending quickly.
The chancellor remains adamant that it is vital to maintain the pace on public spending cuts in order to reassure international markets.
But this finding, if replicated in other polls, may underline the wider debate about the timing, scope and presentation of the cuts.
People gave a range of responses to the question of whether the Scottish government should use Holyrood's tax-raising powers to minimise the impact of spending cuts in Scotland.
Most tended to agree - but those with strong opinions either way were in the minority. No major party at Holyrood is currently offering to use the parliament's tax-varying powers.
Is Scotland the next big adventure travel destination? | Gadling.com
by Kraig Becker on Oct 25th 2010 at 8:30AM
It's no secret that the adventure travel market is booming. It is estimated that that segment of the travel industry generated $89 billion in revenue in 2009 alone, and 2010 is expected to be another banner year. One destination that is helping to contribute to that massive revenue is Scotland, a country that already garners more than $1.4 billion in adventure travel per year, and yet analysts are forecasting an increase in the number of visitors to the country of more than 70% over the next three years.
More than 3.2 million adventure trips were booked to Scotland in 2008 and with the predicted increase for the years ahead, travel companies are already ramping up to help meet the demand. New options for hiking, cycling, and paddling in Scotland are in the works, offering plenty of active adventures for travelers looking to explore the country's varied landscapes.
The most popular draw for adventure travelers is undoubtedly a multi-day hike through the famed Scottish Highlands. Those treks can consist of a few days of short day hikes while staying in luxurious accommodations or up to ten full days of walking during which travelers stay in simple inns each night. The trails pass through low lying mountains covered in mist and heather that are surprisingly rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Many of those same mountain trails are also accessible by mountain bike, which make them a lure for an entirely different crowd. Road cyclists will find plenty to enjoy as well, albeit on the quaint roads that wind through the Scottish countryside. Kayaking and canoeing are also popular ways to explore the Highlands and the country's famous Lochs, while the beautiful rocky coastlines offer some of the best sea kayaking found anywhere on the planet. Mix in a rich history and culture, and you have all the best ingredients for your next adventure trip.
And Tonight's Dram is Aberlour
Glenmorangie is closest to where we live, Clynleish is just up the road, and Dalmore not 20 miles away.
In the circumstances who would want to drink something from Speyside?
Well it seems I'm picking up another Scottish trait - being careful with my coin.
Last week the local store had Aberlour on offer, so I bought 4 bottles. Well what's a principle when there's money involved?
To cut a short story even shorter, I'm part way through the 2nd bottle and
Surprise, surprise!
I'm really enjoying it.
Aberlour still isn't a Highland Malt, but at the right price it's very quaffable.
If you see it somewhere buy it and try it.
Slainte!
Discovering the Highlands- Brora’s Golfing Paradise
Watch the short video slide show and you'll see a selection of sights from the course. They show the stunning scenery on view, including rainbows. (Brora gets more rainbows than anywhere I've ever been.)
The course is built on a narrow strip of sandy soil - like all the best courses - between the farming land and the sea. It goes out for 9 holes and then back for another 9. The turning point is the simply stunning par 3 Sea Hole. It looks gorgeous but turns into a frightening challenge with the wind from the left and the sea on the right.
Always the backdrop is the North Sea on one side and the heather and fern covered hills on the other.
Watch out for the dummy Owl beside one of the greens. Apparently he's there to frighten away the sea gulls (we should get one for our garden I'm sure).
Notice the electric fences around the putting greens - there to keep the animals off the prepared surfaces.
And look for the cows quietly grazing by the burn at the short par 3. Elsewhere on the course is a flock of sheep:-)
The course is built on Common Good Land. Local people have the right to graze their animals on it and despite numerous attempts by the golf club, refuse to stop doing it.
To those of us brought up on manufactured and manicured golf courses with cart paths and half way houses Brora seems to be another world. With land the way God laid it out, the wind, the sea, the animals and inevitable cow pats and sheep droppings, this is the antithesis of what we know.
But it's the way golf was born. A game of the people played on land useless for anything else where both money and score are meaningless. What counts is the way you play the game - the spirit of friends hitting a little white ball, finding it and then hitting it again in the home of golf you didn't know about.
January on the 58th Parallel
February Golf at Royal Dornoch
Brilliant sunshine and no wind make golf here a real pleasure even when its only 5 degrees.
Three Days in Scotland - Make the Most of Them
With only three or four days in Scotland, visitors need some help getting the most out of their trip. The country offers an enticing choice of attractions in its heritage, its geography, its culture and its entertainment. From the wild Border Reiver country in the south, through the commercial and industrial Central Belt, the Cairngorm National Park and the wilderness in Sutherland, its 400 miles to John O Groats in the far north. From the oil capital of Europe, Aberdeen, to the Mull of Kintyre is a full days drive. In the west there's Skye and in the north the Orkneys and Shetland. Experiencing all of Scotland could take months, if not years. But with just three days in the country we have to limit our choices. We'll save the Highlands for another trip, and the Islands for yet another. In this visit we'll combine heritage with scenery, culture and fun with two cities and a day in the hills and lochs. Relaxed tourists could easily fill a week with this itinerary, whilst the more energetic might get through it in two days. The start and end points are only 40 miles apart, so it doesn't matter which way around we go.
Day One - Edinburgh History
Our first day combines heritage with a lot of fun and some culture in the capital city, Edinburgh. The tourist centre (with the usual unfortunate trappings) is the Royal Mile, within the original city walls and leading to the Castle. This place is always buzzing with action. It's the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town - an area of narrow winding streets, dark alleys, interesting boutiques and classy bistros. In the Old Town there's always a hint of Burke and Hare in the atmosphere, and especially those streets under the Bridges - North and South. Close by is Grassmarket. Full of bars and restaurants it's the area for relaxation, with a bit of fun. The area is just steeped in history.
Edinburgh New Town is entirely different. The retail centre of the city is Princes Street. Apart from the views of the Castle this could be any Main Street in the UK with all the major brands. Behind Princes Street is the real New Town. Elegant Georgian buildings, boutiques and restaurants, professional offices.
The city centre offers a wide choice of accommodation but we can highlight a few. Where Old Town meets New Town is the Balmoral Hotel - luxurious, elegant and expensive. At the other end of Princes Street is the Caledonian Hotel. This is one most often shown in films and TV programmes. Not in the Balmoral league, but comfortable, elegant and expensive. At the other end of the scale is the Premier Inn. Only a short walk from Grassmarket and both Old Town and New Town this hotel offers exceptional value. Don't be put off by the budget category. The rooms are perfectly comfortable, and the breakfast is as good as anywhere in Scotland. Another options is the Hilton Grosvenor. It's close to the Premier Inn, the rooms are better and the prices are reasonable for the location.
Quality dining at reasonable prices is available throughout the centre. Hadrian's Bistro at the Balmoral is good, if a little pricey. It's the place for up and coming professionals to be seen. A better option might be a stroll around the Old Town and Grassmarket. Find something you like the look of. There's no shortage of choice.
For visitors who enjoy a little culture with their sightseeing the National Gallery, Fruitmarket Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art offer alternatives to the shops and bars. Fans of Ian Rankin crime novels will be very familiar with the feel of Edinburgh.
Day 2 Mountains, Lochs and Islands
Day two takes us out into the country amongst the mountains, lochs and islands. It totals more than 6 hours driving but the experience is well worth the time and effort. Our route takes us past Stirling and Crianlarich, through the Trossachs and ultimately through Glencoe, infamous for the Massacre of Glencoe and snow closures in the winter.
This is proper mountain country, leading to Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest Munro and on down to Fort William, a major tourist centre for walkers and other outdoor types. Our route now reverses down the coast road to Oban, famous for fishing and islands and whisky. On the way we'll drive through some of the best scenery to be found, anywhere. Views of the islands we'll just want to stand and look at. This feels like we're living in a painting. Oban's a busy little town, and a good place for coffee, lunch or tea and wander around the harbour.
Next we're off to Glasgow. We've circled around, back to Crianlarich and it's time for Loch Lomond. We'll drive the length of the loch through more outstanding scenery and drop into Scotland's largest city, and other capital.
Day 3 - Glasgow - Culture
Very different to Edinburgh, Glasgow is modern, vibrant, exciting and fun. Recently distinguished as the Culture Capital of Europe, this town can justify claims to be the heart of the country. Museums, galleries, shops, restaurants, professional offices, conference centres, universities - Glasgow has the best of everything.
Once again there's no shortage of places to stay and to eat. The Premier Inn in George Square offers exceptional value for money and puts us right in the heart of the city centre - a short walk from almost everything, including outstanding architecture by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Slightly further out, and close to Glasgow University, the Hilton Grosvenor offers a more comfortable but reasonably priced alternative.
Glasgow is renown for its restaurants. Just walk around George Square, Buchanan Street and West Nile Street. Find something you like the look of. Booking ahead is probably a good idea for the more recognised establishments, and especially for the highly recommended Ubiquitous Chip .
Visits to Glasgow are mostly about shopping and culture - particularly art and architecture. Buchanan Street is the retail centre of Scotland, Sauchiehall Street perhaps the most famous. The Buchanan Galleries is certainly the biggest and most popular Mall in the country. Be sure to take tea in the Willow Tea Rooms in Sauchiehall Street for the Rennie Mackintosh experience.
Done with shopping and eating? It time to get lots of culture at the Kelvingrove museum, Glasgow School of Art and any of the many Glasgow Galleries.
Here are the directions courtesy of Google Maps
Driving directions to Fort William, Highland, UK 1. 3 hours 2 mins A82 132 mi Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh UK 1.
Head north on North Bridge/A7 toward E Market St 449 ft 2.
Take the 1st left onto Market StGo through 1 roundabout 0.3 mi 3. Turn right onto The Mound/A8 0.2 mi 4.
Slight left onto Princes St 0.1 mi 5. At Hanover St, take the 1st exit ontoGeorge StGo through 2 roundabouts 0.4 mi 6.
Turn left onto Charlotte Square 0.1 mi 7. Turn right onto Shandwick Pl/A8Continue to follow A8 0.4 mi 8.
Turn left onto Torphichen St/A8 43 ft 9.
Take the 1st right onto Torphichen Pl/A8 305 ft 10.
Take the 1st right onto Morrison St/A8Continue to follow A8 Go through 1 roundabout 7.4 mi 11.
At Newbridge Roundabout, take the 4thexit onto the M9 ramp 0.4 mi 12. Merge onto M9 28.2 mi 13.
At junction 10, take the A84 exit to Stirling/Callander/Crianlarich/A85 0.3 mi 14.
At Craigforth Roundabout, take the 2ndexit onto A84 heading to Crianlarich/A85/Doune/Callander/Aberfoyle/A873 27.3 mi 15.
Continue straight onto A85 16.0 mi 16.
Continue onto A82 5.0 mi 17.
Slight right to stay on A82 (signs for Fort William)Go through 1 roundabout 45.5 mi 18.
At W End Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto High St 0.2 mi 19.
Turn right onto Gordon Square 138 ft 20.
Turn right to stay on Gordon Square 33 ft 21. Continue onto Fassifern Rd 0.3 mi 22.
Slight left onto Parade Rd 69 ft 23.
Turn left to stay on Parade Rd 364 ft 24.
Fort William, Highland UK
Driving directions to Oban, Argyll and Bute, UK 1. 1 hour 8 mins A82 and A828 44.4 mi Fort William, Highland UK 1.
Head southeast on Bank St towardParade Rd 243 ft 2.
Take the 1st left onto Parade Rd 433 ft 3. Continue onto Fassifern Rd 420 ft 4.
Turn right toward Belford Rd/A82 79 ft 5.
Turn left onto Belford Rd/A82Continue to follow A82 Go through 2 roundabouts 13.2 mi 6.
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit ontoA828 heading to Oban/A85 108 ft 7.
Turn left to stay on A828 16.5 mi 8.
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on A828Go through 1 roundabout 9.5 mi 9.
Turn left onto A85 4.3 mi 10.
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit ontoDunollie Rd/A85Continue to follow A85 0.5 mi 11.
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit ontoArgyll Square/A816Continue to follow A816 0.2 mi Oban, Argyll and Bute UK
Driving directions to Glasgow, Glasgow City, UK 1. 2 hours 16 mins A85 and A82 97.0 mi Oban, Argyll and Bute UK 1.
Head north on Soroba Rd/A816 towardCombie StContinue to follow A816 0.2 mi 2.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit ontoAird's Pl/A85Continue to follow A85 0.3 mi 3.
Turn right onto Corran Esplanade/A85 0.3 mi 4.
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit ontoA85Go through 1 roundabout 35.2 mi 5.
Turn right onto A82 5.0 mi 6. Turn right to stay on A82 (signs forGlasgow) 16.4 mi 7.
Turn left to stay on A82 (signs forGlasgow)Go through 5 roundabouts 24.7 mi 8.
Take the exit onto A898 2.0 mi 9. Continue onto M898 Motorway 0.5 mi 10.
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for M8/Paisley and merge onto M8 11.4 mi 11.
Take the exit toward A198/Clydebank/Anderston 0.1 mi 12.
Keep right at the fork to continue towardPitt St 0.3 mi 13.
Turn left onto Pitt St 0.1 mi 14.
Turn right onto W George St 302 ft 15.
Take the 2nd left onto Blythswood Square 269 ft 16.
Continue onto Douglas St 0.1 mi 17.
Turn right onto Sauchiehall St 305 ft 18.
Turn left onto Rose St 269 ft 19.
Take the 1st right onto Renfrew St 0.2 mi Glasgow, Glasgow City UK
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Perfect Golf Landscape
This is the view over Royal Dornoch golf course taken from the high point at the 7th tee.
On the left is the North Sea. The links land you can see is the lowest part of the course - 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th holes.
Shame the weather isn't always like this.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
This Blog is About
When we're young the only interesting things exist in the future but as we get older those things from the past start to mean something.
It's all about who we are and where we come from.
The trouble is most of the details that makes up the big picture get lost - discarded because they don't seem relevant at the time.
Luckily with all this technology available we can create permanent records so those who follow can find out about where they come from and who went before.
So I'm taking advantage, recording stuff that I know in the hope it might prove interesting to you.
If it isn't don't worry. It'll still be here if and when you want to find out more.
The Beginning
Obviously I don't know everything, and have to start somewhere so I'll start in Ardington. It's a tiny village a couple of miles east of Wantage in Oxfordshire, England. The village used to be where workers lived when they worked on what was one of the largest property estates in the south of England - Lockinge Estate.
It was owned by Lord Wantage, a war hero who'd been awarded the Victoria Cross, twice, for outstanding bravery in battle. He was enormously wealthy and a benefactor for the town Wantage and all the villages on the east side of town.
The village is still owned by the estate, but there aren't enough estate workers to fill the place so now they let the houses to pretty much anybody who wants one.
Here's Ardington:
<br /><small>View Larger Map</small>
Pictures from Iris' Wedding
These were taken at Iris' wedding in Ardington. The group picture in the church door shows the groom back middle, Alex Kimber, the bride, back middle, Iris Prior (my mothers aunt).
Back row on the right was Babs Reeves (born Winifred Lewis and now Babs Samways
Front row is on the left Anne Lanfear - bridesmaid -, my aunt (and almost like a sister) and me as the page boy.
1881 Census
This is a picture of the 1881 Census record kept in Ardington Church.
It shows:- George Prior, Carpenter aged 30
- Louisa Prior (nee Stevens) Wife aged 33
- Wilfred Prior, Son, aged 1
- Ernest Lewis , Boarder, aged 5
Above the Prior family is the Williams family, who lived next door. William and Jane had a daughter, Annie Elisabeth, who was born the year after the census.
Subsequently Wilf Prior married Annie Williams, had a daughter Winfred, who had a daughter Winifred aka Babs. So on this piece of paper, we have my two Great, Great Grandfathers - George Prior and William Williams, two Great Grandfathers - Wilf Prior and Ernest Lewis.
Where I Lived in Wantage
These are the houses where I lived, growing up in Wantage.
It all started in Wantage Cottage Hospital on March 24th, 1950 and went through rooms in Jessie Gibbs house in Trinder Road, the Nissen Huts on what is now Stockham Park, council houses at 10 Hamfield, 19 Stockham Way, 5 Denchworth Road and finished up living over Bab's shop in Grove Street.
Wantage Town Center
Best known as the birthplace of King Alfred during the 1600s it was known as Black Wantage - a lawless place full of vagabonds and criminals. It's actually mentioned by that name in Lorna Doone.
In the 1800s it was transformed into Golden Wantage, as the central trading point for all the agricultural land around, and also industry.In the 1950's the population was around 12,000. In 2009 it's part of the Wantage and Grove connurbation which has a population around 50,000.
September 1st. - The Start of the War - Babs's posterous
Where to start?
Today being the 1st of September I thought it was about time I got going on telling everyone about what it was like to be evacuated seventy years ago today.
I was in bed listening to the radio when the announcer reminded me of the date , I then thought yes time to get started .
Our mother had some days previously taken the three of us, my brothers, Micheal John and I to somewhere in Balham where gas masks were being distributed , we were fitted for them and even today I can still remember what it was like to try and breath through it, it was dreadful and after all this time I stillcan't bare to have anything place over my mouth.
She took us to a shop to buy a gas mask case in mock black crocodile skin which we then slung around our necks feeling very important.
A day or two later John and I were taken to the railway station at the bottom of Bedford Hill , we lived in a basement flat No 131,in that street so only a very short distance to walk , full of excitement we boarded the train being given several items for the journey , a bottle of milk and two packets of what seemed to me dog biscuits, they were certainly hard enough , I remember sitting on the seats of the carriage swinging my legs in great excitement.
We were going to the seaside .
I was nine years and two months old and Johnny as we called him in those days would,be eight in two months time October the 31 , the carriage was full, with children being taken away from what it was thought a city about to be bombed flat.
I remember clearly being taken like a herd of cattle to a school in Bognor Regis where we all sat waiting for someone to collect us. Johnny and I mated up with a couple of boys Freddy Case and Billy Bosher , A tall woman dressed in green with a wide brimmed hat on the top of her head collected the four of us and walked us to our accommodation. The two boys to be lodged in the next street to where we were to go us.
We arranged to meet them the following day to go and find the sea.
I remember the two of us walking to the house that we had been to the previous day to meet up with the boys , however I am running away with myself in haste to get this all down.
The people we were billeted with went by the name of Reynolds, they had two children, a boy and a girl, who's name I can't remember. A bed had been made up for us in their room. I remember suddenly realising I wasn't going home and, standing in the room we all lived in, burst into tears. As I sobbed Johnny wrapped his arms around me saying ," Never mind Babsie I'm here ".
I cried I want to go home to Mummy.
The very large Woman who had a wrap around apron on, looked down upon us and frightened me to death. We were given a bed in the room and I sobbed myself to sleep.
The following day the two of us set out to find the other two boys and the four of us trotted to the sea front .
We came to the pier with great excitement,"We were here" ! and almost forgot we were away from home , such an adventure , John and I wanted to go on the pier but the other two boys wanted a donkey ride each of us having threepence each. We watched the other two ride the donkeys, it was raining and thought how silly to get wet .
In the centre of the walk way on the pier stood a very large Jute Box , it had about five girls stood around it and over and over again they played Gracie Fields singing " Wish me luck as you wave me good by".
It was only a day or two later a letter arrived from Mummy and I remember reading it and busting in to tears , We had been given a number of self addressed stamped envelopes to write home.
It was only after Mum had died I was in the cottage sorting out her papers when I came across one of the letters very badly written saying "Mummy I hate it here please take us home " It was such a shock to find that she had kept it all those years, I had a job to not cry.
Another thing I remember was only a day or two after we had been left at this house the grown ups all went out leaving us alone , I suppose people did in those days, went to pub but leaving kids at home .
It had got dark and we switched the light on in the room we lived in when there was a loud knock on the door and a Man called out " Switch those lights out " the four of us were terrified not knowing what to do so grabbing all the coats we could find slung them over the expanding wire that the curtains were hung on and sat there waiting for the Reynolds to return.
Not a nice woman Mrs Reynolds.
I remember Mummy and Daddy came to visit us and Micheal who although had been evacuated to somewhere with a nursery had been collected and taken back home. He had been given a bar of chocolate in the car and it was all over his; face, coat, leggings, and hands, after they had gone home Mrs Reynolds looked down at me and said " What a Dirty little baby that was".
I was very cross at her saying that.
It wasn't lon g after that before we were collected and driven back to Balham .
That's all for now - more tomorrow.
1930/1941 - Babs's posterous
To continue my story , I can't remember having a Christmas at the Reynolds in the Bognor Regis house so I suppose our parents had collected us and we returned to our Flat in Balham.
We were sent to a Catholic school on the opposite side of Balham High Street, about that I can't remember much because shorty after we were driven all three of us ( Micheal as well, he wasn't even at school )`down to Eastbourne and stay with lovely people a Mr and Mrs Barnes and their two children Joan and Lesley both around our ages
The bungalow was at Langley Point down a narrow dusty lane .
It was a red brick house with the door and bay windows on either side painted a very bright green, I remember a short distance down the lane a high chain link fence was on the opposite side with a very dark looking stretch of water , we would. peer though it and look for the eels that were supposedly in it ,every thing looked very very dark and eerie certainly something for us to be scared about.
Mr Barnes was such a jolly man and Mrs Barnes was kept so busy as shortly after we arrived three more children arrived ,all boys that went by the name of: O Brian, Terrance Michael and Brian, I always thought fancy having a name like Brian O Brian, a proper tongue twister.
All ten of us squeezed into that small three bedded bungalow , I can only remember the kitchen with a round table and the boys bed room , all the beds were pushed up together and to get at the window we had to clamber over each bed to see out , I must have had a bed in Joan's room .
At the time we were staying there we were told that a Dutch cargo ship had been bombed just off shore and we could see it quite plainly from the beach when we walked down to it.
After it had been bombed many of the locals had gone down to the shore to see what could be collected and Mr Barnes came home with a very large Dutch cheese in the round wooden cask it had been packed in also a wooden box packed to the full of linen covered buttons , the type Mummy stitched on to my liberty bodice , how I hated them ! they were also used on pillow cases or a bolster to keep them closed when a pillow had been inserted.
I can't help but think now a days what a useful thing it was to do, we couldn't buy them today , I did find a few sometime ago at a boot fair , some old lady must have passed away and they had been turned out.
Mr Barnes would place the cheese on the table and large lumps would be sliced off at meal times with us all sat around the table mouths open ready to devour some.
He was a self employed man and ran his own cats meat round , having a pony and yellow trap that was stored at the bottom of a very long garden, in turn we were allowed to help him at times and I can distinctly remember his cooking up horses legs in a number of coppers, these were then once cooked loaded into the trap and in turn at weekends allowed to accompany him selling it.
He would stand on the platform at the back of the trap ringing a hand bell calling out " Cats Meat any one for cats meat , who ever was helping him at the time would run to the doors handing over the sliced horses flesh wrapped in news paper and collect the threepence that was it's worth.
As it had been a Catholic school we were sent to in London we went to a convent in Eastbourne for our schooling and the nuns taught us , the two Michael's weren't old enough for school so were sent to a nursery for the day , the four of us we the evacuated all went together so I suppose the Barnes children were C of E.
It was a hot summer while we were there and I was given my first communion I remember it had been a problem to find a white dress so the nuns had to help out, after the service we all had a lovely tea on the lawns of the convent, I remember all the girls dancing around the lawns feeling I'm sure like princesses.
Then we had a blow , Mummy was going to fetch us we had no idea why but it was because we were all going to be moved to somewhere in Wales the long awaited bombing had started and the south coast of England was in danger of being invaded by the Germans , "What a stupid thing for the government to do send thousands of children to the south coast out of London where there was every chance of being invaded on the coast .
The taxi arrived with Mummy, (no Father) and we were told that night we would be staying in the flat at the bottom of Bedford H ill that belonged to the mother of the other three boys no explanation was given and we were tucked up into strange beds for the night.
The following morning it was up and walk to the brow of the hill where a very large pantechnicon was parked outside our flat,men were stacking all our furniture into the vehicle, we were all going to stay with granddad !! in Ardington , we were so happy to be going there as in all my life there had never been anywhere that was a nice as granddads cottage.
There was only one thing that quite upset me and that was Johnny had been allowed to sit in the back with the men all the way, sat in one of out armchairs and I was squeezed into the front along with Mummy, Michael and the driver .
Down the Great Western Rd we drove, having driven that way many many times before with my father driving, we knew by now the way and was always looking out for our favourite spots , we were one of the very few that owned a car , I'm sure thanks to my mother who worked at cleaning jobs to pay for them.
At last we could see the barns at the bottom of East Hendred Hill we always looked for them as we knew within minutes we would be there .I will follow on from there next time ..
Benny Wakes Up
This is Benjamin, our Bouvier de Flandres. He's just woken up after a snooze in the garden and goes through his regular routine.
Bennie is 7 years old and weighs aroound 100 lbs, His father - Mario - was a champion show dog but Bennie doesn't believe in doing anything that stressful. As far as he's concerned he owns a beach and a golf course. Every day he takes a tour around his property to make sure it's still there, and then he sleeps.
Is this what was meant by whoever said "it's a dogs life?"
Jackie's Birthday Trip
Walking up a hill might seem a strange choice for a birthday treat. especially a 60th. birthday.
But in this case at least it worked out really well.The big advantage Ben Wyvis has over other hills is there's a well maintained path through the forest which has now been extended through the Ben Wyvis National Park almost to the top of the main climb. So with good weather and nobody else around this was a real pleasure.
Dear Ann - Rest in Peace!
Ann died last night!
We haven't really talked about Ann which makes me feel pretty crappy - because there was a time when we were like brother and sister. That was a long time ago but it's the sort of thing which resurfaces.
Ann Lanfear was my mother's half sister. Grandmother Winifride Prior divorced Wilf Lewis during the war and moved from London to Ardington, to live with her father, and my great grandfather, Wilfred Stevens Prior.
Not sure when (?) she married Horace Lanfear, an ex marine who'd been besieged on Malta for most of the war. Babs Lewis and Syd Reeves were married in 1948. Winifride and Horace married around the same time. Ann was born in the summer of 1949. Nine months later I came along.
The two new mothers spend a great deal of time together while Ann and I were infants, and so we grew up together- like brother and sister, although we didn't live under the same roof. We did spend most of our time In Ardington, a heavenly place for kids to grow up, because we could go anywhere.
My mother's side of the family found lots of reasons to fall out, spending months not talking to each other. Every fall out was followed by a reconciliation, followed by another fall out. Ann and I were driven apart by the fall outs. We both moved away as soon as we could and didn't have any contact, other than at weddings.
We both were focused on building our own lives, away from the rows and reconciliations and didn't have whatever it took to rebuild what we had as kids. I regret that. Sorry Ann.
As far as I know Ann never smoked, or drank more than a sherry at Christmas. She was a teacher, and I'm sure a good one, if maybe a little prissy. Ann should have lived to her nineties.
But she didn't. Several strokes in her mid 40s presaged what was to come. A couple of weeks ago Ann suffered a major stroke, and never recovered proper consciousness. Last night at 5 minutes to midnight Ann passed on. She was 60.
Rest in Peace Ann. I'm sorry for letting what we had as kids go.
Timmy
Steve Reeves in 2009
Jackie took this photo in my iPhone.
We were sat outside a bar in the Cowgate, Edinburgh enjoying some cool spring sunshine.Actually we'd only just got back from holiday in the Caribbean (on Gareth's hired yacht) so the weather was a little too cool for us. The next day would be our 35th wedding anniversary but I was due to present at a Scottish Enterprise seminar so we celebrated early.
The Madleys
Here's a really nice picture of Jackies mum - Dot, and dad - Don, together with Claire and Gareth.
I guess this must have been around Christmas - hence Don's drink.The picture was taken in our sitting room at 26 Giernall's Road, Hailey, Oxfordshire - at a guess this was 1983?
Who Died in the Prior Fire?
So the next article is actually the text of a newspaper article published in the Berkshire Chronicle on March 30th. 1878.
It tells the story of how James and Frances Prior died when there house burned down. They fit into the About our Roots story because James and Fanny were Wilfred Stevens Prior's great grand parents. Since he was my Great Grandfather, James and Fanny were my Great, Great, Great, Great Grandparents :-) Here's some background.James was born in Hanney in 1800 and Fanny in E. Lockinge in 1799. They were married on 1818.Fanny had an illegitimate daughter - Sarah Miles - presumably before they were married. She must have liked kids because she had another 12 with James, and it didn't do her any harm - she was 79 when she died in the fire. Of the 12 John Prior was born in 1827, married to Sarah Hunt in 1827 and the two 8 children - George was the eldest, born in 1851.George married Louisa Stevens and one of their 4 children was Wilfred Stevens Prior. By the looks of the family tree the Prior's seem to have populated half of Berkshire.
Chicago in the Sunshine July 2nd. 2010
Old Fogies day walking around downtown enjoying Chicago in the sunshine - just a beautiful day.
