for MH Mr J storms into my class room and yells, “Sit down everyone! Why are you all out of your seats?” Mrs K thinks – if you hadn’t moved me to the room opposite your office you wouldn’t be so upset now! Mrs K draws herself up to her full five feet one and […]Read Post ›
When I was about eight or nine my beloved aunt Alice was in her twenties. She had just got married and was setting up home, first in Richmond, then in Maidenhead, with her husband Dick and their little mongrel dog, Heidi. I wasn’t sure of Dick, and even less sure of Heidi – a cross […]Read Post ›
Today I went to the Wallace Collection, ostensibly to look at the Manolo Blahnik collection of shoes inspired by the museum, but very soon I was totally distracted from the shoes by the pictures themselves. The collection itself is mesmerising. I know that I should look at one or two paintings, contemplate and enjoy them, […]Read Post ›
This beautiful book jacket by David Knight covers one of my very favourite books of all time: “Love of Seven Dolls” by Paul Gallico. It perfectly epitomises the power of theatre, puppetry and storytelling. Not a children’s book at all, but appeals to the innermost child in any adult. I received this edition for my […]Read Post ›
My mother went to a professional photographer, Julia Bennett Studios in Oxford Street, to have this portrait taken. I presume it was for a passport. I have been trying to work out when it was taken, because she never actually looked like that. The dress is polyester, so it must have been taken in the […]Read Post ›
A Spectator competition – the idea was to put the words which come at the ends of the line into a meaningful sonnet. Obviously it didn’t win! But I found the draft today so I thought I’d type it up before I threw the scrap of paper away after so many years. ***** I think […]Read Post ›
Written in April 2015 So much love So many children with doting parents So many children wanting to please So many teachers eager to show their charges in the best light. So many little princes and princesses anxious, arrogant, afraid of disappointment; spitting images of their parents […]Read Post ›
When people show you their holiday snaps ( thank heaven the era of the slide show is over) you know that you are in for a series of monuments, castles, rooftop views, your friends emulating celebrities and royalties at attractions like the Taj Mahal, etc etc. I know. I’ve done it too. How to make […]Read Post ›
