Pennies for heaven?

A local newspaper ran a story this week about fund-raising.

Clitheroe’s Civic Society raised their banner outside Boots on Castle Street last week to promote their “Mile of Pennies” event in aid of St Mary’s Church spire rebuild

Someone seemingly had the idea and chose to use the 'brew' below the church. 
The church of St. Mary Magdalene is situated on the top of a limestone knoll in the valley of the River Ribble.
I turned to geograph to find a pic of the church.

© Copyright  John S Turner and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

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The church is full of memories some happy and some sad. Going back in time to happy memories of school-days and a remarkable music teacher Charles Myers and his favourite phrase 'more mouth move-ment'. In other words one must sing clearly with enunciation. He was a genius at getting the best out of his students. 
The school got a new headmistress and it soon became clear that she did not see eye-to-eye with our beloved music master. But Charlie Myers RSM (Fellow of the Royal schools of Music) was a force to be reckoned with. The choir played an important part in prize-giving and other events. On one occasion we rose to sing...nothing unusual in that, but Charlie had taught us the library rules and we sang them in plainsong. Strike-out Charlie won his battle.
Then there was the time when the BBC came and the choir arranged by Charlie in the Chancel took the lead in a radio broadcast. [Happy times].
There was a little-used way thro' the churchyard, a cut-through which saved time, but was rather precarious. Stone steps dating back hundreds of years giving access to the knoll from the North side, yet a joy to use in good weather.

The 'mile of pennies' was a long-standing tradition in the town in the days of pennies not pence. It was formed regularly, but in the street leading to the old market. Kerbstone edges are usually single, but because of the steepness of the street leading down the hill {the town is like others in the area built on a series of hill slopes), the uphill side was a double kerb. You'll have to use your imagination as the re-developers have been at work and the double kerb removed. Both kerbs used to be covered in lines of pennies in the days when pennies were valuable. Someone would set it going on market day and throughout the day more and more coins would be added.

Few of the older buildings survive...

 © Copyright Alexander P Kapp and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Memories

The sort of scales found in shops 

 Chef Phillip Harbern - I still have his cookery book and very well-used it is too.

 Poppers individual beads to pull apart and re-join.

I loved having one of these.

 

 What fun, a simple game played for hours.

Remember having one of these and going on it on Sunday family visits.

 

 Typing by turning the dial to select characters. Used to type 'thank you' notes.

 Saving stamps

Last, but not least using a phone in a phone-box. 

There was a question about it in 11+ English. 

'How to make a telephone call'.

Apres nous le deluge

is what happened on the 1980s...
Politicians discovered a new toy to play with - the lives of children and teachers aka social engineering. 

Our acting Head was replaced by a new broom who arrived convinced he needed to stamp his authority on the place.
Unfortunately, it soon became a chalk-face rumour that was a 'wooden top'. 
Who or what were Wooden tops? A children's puppet series on TV. 


Another unfortunate coincidence was that he wore a mack, and on TV at the time there was the Colombo series also a cartoon about a character known as 'inch-high private eye'.
So to children and staff alike he became as 'Colombo'.
On of the most likable members of the English staff managed to escape to another post. His leaving do was held in the staff room. Prior to the arrival of the new head, it had been used for staff junketing after hours. Each year they held a 'Meet the new teachers' evening to welcome newbies and help them to settle in. Now Mr. P was leaving and he'd composed a leaving song the the tune of the Eaton boating song. It's many years ago, but I remember everyone ending up 'in bulk' with tears of laughter. The refrain was 'It seems to me; it's true to say' and the verses were peppered with other phrases typical of the new head. 
One Department voted 11 to 1 against something the head suggested; so the department forced to implement the new idea was that one.

Throughout the 80s various edicts came down from government. Social engineering carried on a-pace and continues to this day.

mf

I took a break after Tuesday to put up pics for Wordless Wednesday as I've been taking garden photos without editing/publishing.

Now to return to the Monday topic.

Anyone who taught in comps from 1970s onwards saw changes, but most just added to workload, brought in classroom problems and made the job harder.

Did I 'live for work' or 'work for a living'? The former was true enough in the 70s the latter became the norm from the 80s onwards. I became trapped in a job that had been satisfying and occasionally rewarding. By the time I was granted early retirement it had become debilitating mental and physical drudgery.

1970s transition from secondary school to comprehensive...leavening the lump. We had streaming HUY top, TON middle and SL those with learning difficulties.
S classes were ESN educationally sub-normal whilst L were SSN severely sub-normal. Political correctness had yet to arrive. At least for S and L classes you knew there would be smaller classes with the smallest numbers in L. No teaching assistants, no special training 'get in there and get on with it'. Those kids had Uncle Norm (Norman) who was 'caretaker' for all S and L pupils. Their liking and respect for him was apparent. If he had 'free' time he'd look in on SL classes if young female staff had them. He became Uncle Norm to younger teachers too.

No such thing as 'no smoking' and Uncle Norm smoked his pipe in the staffroom. At break and lunchtime there was wall-to-wall smoke from ready-mades, roll-ups and our pipe smoker. A few brought packed lunch, a few opted for dinner duty, others headed for the VIth form canteen. When the school inspector turned up he too went to that canteen, the only difference being he had 'waitress' service. If only we'd kept guys like him, he did a superb job. I've never forgot him saying to us that there ought never to be any meetings after school. As he said 'anyone who teaches properly has nothing left by the time pupils go home'.

During the first couple of years the Deputy Head (Miss C) stood in for the Head; (Mr. W) was dying of cancer.

There were 1200 pupils on roll and the corridors were safe to walk down. We had a teacher return after a back operation, she walked to and from her room without risk of being jostled. She'd been time-tabled to work in her own room. The younger and newer you were, the more peripatetic one became. You could be at one end of the school for a lesson and the next at the opposite end of the building. 

Take a look at Plater's Beiderbecke Trilogy. 
Better still, read the books.


Of course there was no proper idea of 'equality' in the 70s and some practices would be frowned upon today.
We had two Deputy Heads, one in charge of curriculum and the other looked after time-tabling. The latter was what today would be called 'sexist'. He was in charge of the relief time-tabling as in sending people to cover other classes when the need arose.
Younger female teachers were his 'prey'; he'd stride up and say, 'Ah. my dear, you would appear to be free.' Then send you to cover a waiting class. Young male teachers lost less preparation time because they were rarely asked to cover.
Another practice that would be frowned on and quite rightly so was the Friday lunchtime visit to the pub. P.E. staff and younger staff went in several cars to a pub for a pint and toasties. One young languages teacher tended to drink pints of larger, fortunately her classroom was near a set of staff 'facilities'. She became the talk of the staff-room, not because of imbibing, but because she went with students and staff on a French trip and failed to return, deciding to stay in France!

Wordless Wednesday

Education? Not really, more social engineering.

The news media has been awash with education stories ad nauseam. It set me thinking about folk I know, know of or  knew and their experiences of education in the 19th, 20th and 21st century.
Researching family history, the word 'scholar' is used for children as young as 4 years of age (1881). 
The (Forster) education act of 1870 set up school districts and elementary schools along with school boards to run them.
Time for a brief digression to mention a book dramatised and aired on radio 4 extra. It's taken all day to find it! 'South Riding' by Winfred Holtby and well worth reading if I say so myself. Showing life in a Yorkshire elementary school; in particular the redoubtable Mrs. Beddows of the School Board.
Another novel, 'Lark Rise to Candleford', the book, not the apology that was the made for TV adaptation paints a true story of village school life years ago,

In the early 20th century, some of my family went to the local village school. At lunchtime it was customary to walk home, collect lunch for family workers, take it to them at the mill before having own lunch. People thought little about walking everywhere as that was the main form of transport. 

Returning to education history...

1880 compulsory schooling from 5-10 or up to 14 unless needed for work (little enforcement)
1891 elementary education was made free 
1918 raised the school leaving age to 14

Although the Hadow reports recommended secondary schooling, it took until the act of 1944 for a structure to be put in place.

In the 1960s parents of grammar school pupils signed to allow their children to remain at school to 16.

Secondary school pupils left at 15.

Now to talk about my friend who went to the local secondary school. He spent a lot of his time on practical subjects and left without much in the way of formal qualifications. On leaving school, he became an apprentice welder and when qualified...they 'let him go'. As a qualified welder he 'cost too much' to keep on. Not being one to remain idle, he went to Israel and carried on with welding work.  
Moving on a few years and he decided on a career change...the curate's wife encouraged him and he became a nurse in a mental hospital. There his creativity was encouraged and he gained qualifications. Over the next few years he bought and restored an old cottage. Then moved across the road and took over a large derelict building and restored a four-storey 19th century former warehouse. 

1973 ROSLA  raising of the school leaving age to 16. Introduction of 'comprehensive' education.
The place I worked in had 1200 on roll and a teaching staff of 75; class sizes were usually 30-36 pupils. 

mf

The longer

you live...the more folk you lose.
What has brought on the melancholy? Strangely it's because a click of the mouse friend posted that term ends and her lad is moving from middle school to higher.
In the place I once worked there were a few special people.
One guy Mac was an inspiration from day one. It always used to amuse me that of all the female staff I got on so well with him. How? Because I was no threat. A friend of mine set her cap at him. Rather like Miss Piggy and Kermit the frog. 
I got to know Mack reasonably well as he was part of the same team. In the 70s? site staff went on strike...we had to sign in to get paid. Then a suggestion was made that we high tail it north to enjoy the day. Off we went...Phil, Dave, Mack and I to the Lake District for the day. That's when I learnt a few things like Mack always judged a pub by its food...steak and ale pie to be precise. He even kept a list.
Spool on a few years and we learnt that Mac had stepped in front of a goods train. Exeunt Mac. 
Now I'm daring to look back to many of my former colleagues that are no more. Teaching is a killer occupation. I cannot help but be concerned about friends still in teaching; I read and see the signs of over-work. Recurring illnesses from stress, even tho' the folk fail to recognise the signs. IBS irritable bowel syndrome,aka gut ache and upset stomach. Depression also brought on by the formidable stresses and responsibility of day to day teaching. As the actuaries know...the longer someone stays in teaching...the shorter their lifespan.
Mea culpa the secret is out, I told the truth.

A may-ing

 In the spring time, the only pretty ring time,  

When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding;

Honesty in flower

Flowers on ballerina apple tree

Pear tree flowering

Blue azalea

Last 'gasp' camellia

Lily promising to flower soon

Magnolia making brief sojourn

Change, change, change

From the Lancs. telegraph [online]


"Key dates
2013 JUNE: 
Old Market demolition starts with three-day market hall near Brown Street.
Penny Street closed to ordinary vehicles and bus stops suspended and moved to Boulevard/Railway Road.
AUGUST: 
Demolition of rest of market commences.
Ainsworth Street bus stops suspended and moved to Boulevard. Brown Street made two-way, buses only.
Construction of interim bus station on three-day market hall site begins.
SEPTEMBER: 
Interim bus station completed.
Old Market demolition finishes."

When I was young, there was the 'old' market with the Market clock that had a ball that dropped at 1 pm every day. It was the traditional 3-day market and 5-day market hall. Many is the time I've been there, sometimes with family and later on with friends. Traditional outdoor stalls selling 'everything' from meats, local cheeses, fruit and veg; to bric a brac and all sorts in between.

Later it was re-developed and as schoolgirls we watched the changes, some for the better, but not all. Gone was the famous landmark clock. A new market hall opened with a specialist coffee shop selling coffee beans and ground/roast coffee. The pungent aromas spread far and wide. New shops opened up around the markets. Reidy's being one of the more famous, opened by the Four Pennies pop group who' had a hit song 'Juliet' (1964).

In the late 1960s and 1970s the road layout changed and was modified several times. Most confusing to find a one-way street that had been two-way, only to find the planners rejigged everything and one-way roads were still one-way but in the opposite direction. I remember it well. Difficult enough to learn to drive and put in for the driving test without road schemes being altered as well.

Market Hall today (right)

© Copyright Bill Boaden and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

© Copyright robert wade and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Inside 

© Copyright robert wade and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

To see older photos and find out more visit here.

Making me feel old when the 'old' market they are demolishing is the 'new' market of my day.

Once there was

something called 'FirstClass' it was the online communication portal for OUSA and the OU. OUSA - OU Students Association. That was where I learnt that click-of-the-mouse friendships could and did grow connecting folks far and wide.
I joined some groups and we chatted away sharing all sorts. There we learned to practise netiquette and developed our own dos and don'ts. I was fortunate to meet face-to-face with some people and that made online friendships even more special. 

I did a course called 'You, your computer and the Internet'. That OUSA group known as T171 Survivors was particularly active. The online conference was always busy with dings and flags popping up as posts were sent. They had a yearly get-together near Harrogate, and one year I decided to join them. We had a lovely time and it was good to put faces to names. 

Another very active group was the Dog House where we shared our joys and woes and the antics of our K9 companions. I like to think we became a close-knit group. One stalwart was DD affectionately known as Duracell Dusty. Not wanting it to 'rain on my keyboard' I won't say much more. 

Why write now? Well, yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of DD's crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Today someone posted a collage of DD's support group and I thought I'd share it here to celebrate the friendship groups that grew up courtesy of FC (FirstClass).

OUSA Dog House

Reponsibility

Responsibility is something that is part and parcel of being a dog owner.

 

So today we went back to the vets.

Our usual one was off today and there was a choice of 2 people. One is new to veterinary medicine and to the practice. I've met her before and she seems nervous particularly when meeting large dogs. The other is someone who has met and treated our large male GSD without any qualms. Unfortunately the earliest appointment was 2 pm. Puppy needed to keep off any foods until seen by the vet (usual procedure when there's a tummy upset).

The rest of the staff tend to be very touchy-feely particularly where young cute animals are involved. There were oos and aahs when we came in and complimentary comments. The problem when one person came over the see the puppy and because of reticence said she'd get her some kibble and that it'd be fine. Very politely I explained why puppy had come to the vets and that she'd been nil by mouth. So when receptionist returned with some kibble, I had to again tell her 'no'. Here's me being the responsible owner but as for the receptionist? the mind boggles. 

So, puppy is on a rice and fish diet for the next few days and she has some anti-biotics to take. The rice and fish went down a treat. G the vet phoned to offer some more advice such as adding natural yogurt to the diet and something called pro-fibre. Next I'm going to see what I can find out from a vet-med site. Yes, our vets have the stuff in stock but I dread to think what the price might be. Using a UK site I can order and receive some K9 products postage free and at lower price than from the vets.

Wish me luck!

Parliament

A click on the mouse friend is fond of owls; so it was good to find a website about crochet owls and let her know.

Traditionally owls are associated with wisdom and learning. They appear on congratulations greetings.

The collective noun is  a Parliament of Owls
In his Narnia series The Silver Chair, C.S.Lewis describes a parliament of owls that meets to discuss events and to give advice. I wonder if my delight in owls might come from reading Lewis?
Two more owls of the literary kind spring to mind:
Winnie the Pooh's 'Wol' and TH White's 'Once and future king' where Wart is change into and owl. This is shown most amusingly in the Disney cartoon film.

Thinking back, there was once a farm park (name forgotten) near Penzance.  The day we went there was a talk and display about owls. We got up close and personal as the saying goes with some of the owls. That's an experience never to be forgotten. How thin the neck is under its layers of feathers and how heavy an owl can be when it's on the glove on your hand.

So like my friend, I too have a love of owls.

Do I remember...yes I do

A picture appeared on Facebook of a twin-tub washing machine and that brought back memories. Washing is no longer the chore it used to be. In fact as I type my automatic is busily washing the latest load. 

Years ago I went to a museum which I think no longer exists as there has been so much redevelopment. The rooms were set out depicting the lives of ordinary people in the early 20th century and went up to the 1950s. Washing day with posser and dolly tub, not forgetting 'dolly blue' used to whiten washing. 

A large stand-alone mangle just like one a neighbour had when I was a pre-school child. 
Then there was an electric washing machine consisting of a tub with agitator and above it the mangle. Not such a happy memory as it was so easy to trap fingers and have to release them. 
Moving on to college days and although some went to the launderette, I washed by hand then used the spin-dryer before hanging clothes on the line.
Later on I learnt to use a twin-tub; oh the hours spent feeding it with water, heating up the water, adding washing powder and washing, then moving on the use the spin dryer part making sure the hose stayed in the sink. 
Then a series of automatic washing machines, right up to today with washing done in 30 minutes.

Old-fashioned

Took little 'bear' to see Michelle the vet this morning. Nothing too serious just what my friends in the 'Dog House' forum would term dire rear.
Little'n now weighs a respectable 13.8 kg. Bless her, she happily sat on the scales to be weighed and kept remarkably still.
We discussed what the cause of the problem might be and details of the dire rear. Then Michelle mentioned that they had food for 'sensitive' stomachs. She grinned when she saw the look on my face and suggested that old-fashioned might be better. 

Pups will be er pups and prone to trying out all sorts of things such as mosses, soil, paper, cardboard, not forgetting shoes!
There could be any number of causes for her tummy upset. So, we came home with worming granules to mix into food (to be on the safe side). A small container and scoop for 'samples' over three days (just in case).

Well, what's the old-fashioned thing? 

For the next 3 or 4 days...she'll be eating scrambled egg and chicken! 

A quick trip to the local supermarket and back again with a pack of eggs and another of chicken thighs and drumsticks (now boiled), leaving me with some chicken stock.

Ideas anyone?

Friday

is the day for Taijiguan; one of the highlights of the week. Only lasts an hour, but the impact lasts and lasts.
Years ago I went to the gym on a regular basis for several years, then two things intervened. The gym started charging extra for things that had been inclusive and this on top of the regular membership fees made it too expensive. 
Then, there was shingles. Mine was not diagnosed soon enough although I was convinced that shingles was the problem. Hence, I am prone to recurring bouts of shingles pain. What can you take for it? Nothing has much impact on it at all. Shingles rash lasted 6 months, the pain continued. That put an end to gym membership.

Taijiguan takes place in a local community centre and the group varies in size with some attending more regularly than others. We have two tutors and they have different ways but it's always enjoyable. 

Here is a graceful version of what we attempt. The movements are slow, gentle with the emphasis on balance. Another key is to be relaxed with no tension anywhere. 
The after effects? Circulation - zinging from top to toe. Mind quietened and at peace for an hour remains quieter for a while with no intrusive thoughts. A sense of well-being remains.

From the Guardian

A spokesman for Aldi said random tests had shown that the products they had withdrawn contained between 30% and 100% horse meat.

"This is completely unacceptable and like other affected companies, we feel angry and let down by our supplier. If the label says beef, our customers expect it to be beef. Suppliers are absolutely clear that they are required to meet our stringent specifications and that we do not tolerate any failure to do so," he said.

The main headline story has been 'contamination' as in horse meat found in products labelled 'beef'.

It set me thinking about food, buying and preparation. Thinking of the contents of my freezer, there are no bought in ready meals. Unlike two of my neighbours, H exists on microwave and oven ready meals he buys from Salisbury or Marks & Spencer. The other neighbour buys from Iceland in particular and loves to find bargains.

Apparently there's nothing 'wrong' with horse meat apart from not wanting to eat it or that it might contain 'bute' a pain killer phenylbutazone which has been found to cause aplastic anaemia in some people.

Thanks to being of a certain age, and my upbringing the closest to 'ready' you'll find me using is frozen veg particularly when the price of fresh is too high and veg is poor quality. We buy our meat from butchers.

Do people read the small print on ready meals and 'value' foods with understanding?  

Field studies

Nettlecombe Court  is near Exmoor in Devon and run by the Field Studies Council. Years ago when in the VIth form we were encouraged to go on fieldwork at one of their centres. The year I went with some of the other geographers it was to Nettlecombe Court. 
How come I suddenly thought about it seeing as it has lain at the back of my mind all this time? 
Three reasons, firstly last weekend C told me she was taking her VI th form and some other pupils to one of their places in Wales, secondly, I did a search for the FSC and saw Nettlecombe Court on their map and thirdly I have begun an unusual and mould-breaking course with the OU. 
Off and on over the years I have done fieldwork in various places. Vth form it was studies in the local area, VI th form Nettlecombe Court, college Lyme Regis (Omitting my work / career). 
OU studies - Durham and Herriot Watt universities
OUGS Open University Geological Society field study - Tees Valley, Falmouth and the Lizard peninsula, Symposium and fieldwork Poole, Dorset

The latest OU course is virtual fieldwork! 
For various reasons, mostly political, universities are having difficult times. The creative idea from the OU is to use multi-media to work on-line and perform fieldwork tasks.

C has gone with her charges to Dale Fort. 

Checking out the Nettlecombe Court page it seems similar to when I was there many years ago. The dorms still have bunk beds! The dining room still has refectory tables and the classrooms haven't changed that much.
But, today there is a bar. In yesteryear we snook scrumpie into the dorm, the local pub was too far to walk and out of bounds.

College days - Lyme Regis we stayed in an hotel and as all were over 18 it was legal to drink in the bar. First 'fatal' mistake made by the tutors was to have the day's debrief in the bar. It turned out to be historical geography with a trip to Maiden Castle and numerous barrows, long, round and bank. We did go to Chesil Beach and I remember one of the lads 'falling in' and spending the day rather wet. Then there was the day spent in Dorchester museum looking at archaeology. 

I posted on the tutor discussion page to tell folk about OUGS. Hoping some of my fellow students will take advantage of the fieldwork events run by OUGS.

z_puppy

This little girlie will be joining our family at the beginning of next month.

Two weeks on she's more grown-up

Just look at those ears! She's ahead of herself! Usually it takes far longer for the ears to begin to perk up. Typically the right ear is the first to stand up, followed by the left.

A friend who is very good at drawing animals said she would like to draw Z_pup and of course I said 'Yes.' It won't be for a while but am sure it will be worth the wait.

Time

Tempus fugit - time flies and leaves nothing in its wake apart from memories. Some positive but others are negative.
Let's stick with the positives.

Yesterday I 'played friends of the M6'.
Usually I prefer to avoid travels on a Friday, so how come I headed north yesterday? There are few people that could encourage me to break my self-imposed 'never on a Friday' travel. 

Two days ago, I received a message asking me if I was free 'tomorrow'. My god-daughter had plans for me and her mother (my long-time best friend). 

The hobbit movie is being shown nation-wide and god-daughter knows how much we love Tolkien. So she'd decided on a get-together and watch the film day. It never crossed my mind that travel would be on a Friday. Hence, I headed north along the dreaded M6 to meet up.

There's something inestimably good about the love and friendship of our nearest and dearest.  Hence without thinking I travelled up and then down the M6 almost without a qualm. Now I have memories to cherish.

Blackhorse, Bluebell and Red Cow

Luas Red Line has 28 Stops located at Tallaght, Hospital, Cookstown, Saggart, Fortunestown, Citywest Campus, Cheeverstown (Park + Ride), Fettercairn, Belgard, Kingswood, Red Cow (Park + Ride and Depot), Kylemore, Bluebell, Blackhorse, Drimnagh, Goldenbridge, Suir Road, Rialto, Fatima, James's, Heuston, Museum, Smithfield, Four Courts, Jervis, Abbey Street, Busáras, Connolly, George's Dock, Mayor Square - NCI, Spencer Dock and The Point.

So, where is the Luas? 
Dublin, Ireland...the tram network which connects areas of the city and is to be extended with more linkages.
For the grand sum of 23 euro a valid ticket allows unlimited use for a week!

Apols for delay, but life or rather the opposite intervened.

Back on track ('scuse the pun).

Dublin has a wonderful array of statues.

Finishing touches being made to the tree in front of the Post Office. That building played an important part in Irish history, Worth finding out about it if you haven't come across it before.

Over the years, I've taken a few photos of the 'tart with the cart'. This time someone had given her a rose.

Another Dublin landmark on the Ha'penny Bridge. Something you might want to look up maybe?

This is one I needed to find out...Anna Livia on the Anna Livia Bridge. The bridge dates from 1665 and was known as Chapelizoid until the centenary of James Joyce birth (1982) when it became Anna Livia as in the 'Dubliners'.

There's always more to see and learn in Dublin...