Tuesday 25th March
Robert rang this morning hardly able to 'contain' himself. He'd just received a letter from the Royal Society Of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce. It read: "You are a winner..." He'd entered one of his projects in a competition where the prize was £3000 or a placement of two months in Scotland. Of the 24 who entered his brief, he was one of six to be invited for an interview in London at the end of last month. The interview had gone really well, but when asked he had stated that he would rather have the money than the placement.
The prize had been split and he has been awarded £1000. He has to decide what he wants to spend the money on and this has to be approved by the RAS, as it can only be spent on something that will further his career. I'm sure he has a whole list of things suitable.
You can view his design here
As you can imagine we are soooo proud...
Monday, March 31, 2008
IN BRIEF
Tuesday 25th March
Everyone back to work, well Graham was and there was loads to catch up on at home.
Went to see the doctor mid-morning. I hadn't slept and was feeling particularly sorry for myself today. I know I must have looked rough as the doctor was sympathetic! A couple of weeks back I got in touch with a work colleague who nearly died from her hernia (five years ago) as it became strangulated and she suffered gangrene. My reasoning being that her surgeon may just have a little more experience than mine. If I could just get in contact with him and talk things through...I made this suggestion to the doctor expecting a rebuff, but was amazed to hear that he visits our surgery once a month and I could see him next time he's there... 25th May... hooray, almost a result!
Wednesday 26th March
Very quiet day as Lucy went to the seaside (Bridlington) for the day with Stephen and two other friends. Yes, she and Stephen did go paddling. She said it was colder than she remembered...
Received letter from the DRI allowing me to phone them to make an appointment with the Pain Clinic. The appointment is for 15th May, that will be a year to the day since my first operation...
Also received email from Judith saying that she has had her cochlea implant (2 hour operation) and is recovering well. She now has to wait a couple more weeks before she is switched on. We all have our fingers crossed for you Judith, it will be just amazing...
Lucy home before tea and helped me register with the IFL. I'm not sure why I have to do this, but if I don't, I won't be able to teach for Derbyshire County Council. We couldn't register completely as you have to wait for a membership number and that takes 4 weeks to through. The last date for registering is 31st March, so I hope this counts...
Thursday 27th March
Decided that I would do what I wanted today, not what Hermione decreed. Managed to work on some bags I'm trying to make and went to Hucknell in the afternoon. Lucy there to push the trolley round. Surprised to bump into Stephen there. Ended up also visiting The Designer Outlet and buying two pairs of shoes. I'm sure this has aided a sudden recovery as I felt much better after this...
Spent the whole of the evening sorting out tomorrow's craft lesson, postponed from last Friday.
Friday 28th March
Lesson went well even though we were well down on helpers. Special thanks to Penny one of the helpers who was there. I made a comment the other week about her using all my best ideas as she passes on my templates and projects to her son's school and the local scouts group. I didn't mean anything by it, but it must have registered as she brought me a bunch of daffodils today by way of a 'thank you'. I waited until everyone had gone and then gave her a hug, it means a lot to be appreciated...
Missed Friday Favourite last week, here's one from Beverley Craven...
Tuesday 25th March
Everyone back to work, well Graham was and there was loads to catch up on at home.
Went to see the doctor mid-morning. I hadn't slept and was feeling particularly sorry for myself today. I know I must have looked rough as the doctor was sympathetic! A couple of weeks back I got in touch with a work colleague who nearly died from her hernia (five years ago) as it became strangulated and she suffered gangrene. My reasoning being that her surgeon may just have a little more experience than mine. If I could just get in contact with him and talk things through...I made this suggestion to the doctor expecting a rebuff, but was amazed to hear that he visits our surgery once a month and I could see him next time he's there... 25th May... hooray, almost a result!
Wednesday 26th March
Very quiet day as Lucy went to the seaside (Bridlington) for the day with Stephen and two other friends. Yes, she and Stephen did go paddling. She said it was colder than she remembered...
Received letter from the DRI allowing me to phone them to make an appointment with the Pain Clinic. The appointment is for 15th May, that will be a year to the day since my first operation...
Also received email from Judith saying that she has had her cochlea implant (2 hour operation) and is recovering well. She now has to wait a couple more weeks before she is switched on. We all have our fingers crossed for you Judith, it will be just amazing...
Lucy home before tea and helped me register with the IFL. I'm not sure why I have to do this, but if I don't, I won't be able to teach for Derbyshire County Council. We couldn't register completely as you have to wait for a membership number and that takes 4 weeks to through. The last date for registering is 31st March, so I hope this counts...
Thursday 27th March
Decided that I would do what I wanted today, not what Hermione decreed. Managed to work on some bags I'm trying to make and went to Hucknell in the afternoon. Lucy there to push the trolley round. Surprised to bump into Stephen there. Ended up also visiting The Designer Outlet and buying two pairs of shoes. I'm sure this has aided a sudden recovery as I felt much better after this...
Spent the whole of the evening sorting out tomorrow's craft lesson, postponed from last Friday.
Friday 28th March
Lesson went well even though we were well down on helpers. Special thanks to Penny one of the helpers who was there. I made a comment the other week about her using all my best ideas as she passes on my templates and projects to her son's school and the local scouts group. I didn't mean anything by it, but it must have registered as she brought me a bunch of daffodils today by way of a 'thank you'. I waited until everyone had gone and then gave her a hug, it means a lot to be appreciated...
Missed Friday Favourite last week, here's one from Beverley Craven...
The Long Way Round...
Sunday 23rd March
Went to Calke Abbey (minus Lucy) and walked the whole of the way round the deer park. Bit of a struggle for me, but quite an achievement since I haven't managed this far for more than a year now.
Luckily the tea rooms were still open when we got back...
Went to Calke Abbey (minus Lucy) and walked the whole of the way round the deer park. Bit of a struggle for me, but quite an achievement since I haven't managed this far for more than a year now.
Luckily the tea rooms were still open when we got back...
A Whiff Of Success...
Saturday 22nd March
When Robert is home he always encourages us to go out if we can. Today we decided to wait until it had stopped snowing horizontally and then we set out.
A month or so ago I received an email from a craft website saying if I re-registered with them, I would be entered in a draw for £20.00 of vouchers. Surprise, surprise, weeks later, I received the vouchers... One of the nearest places to spend them is Tamworth, so as we hadn't visited there before, it became today's destination. Shopping done, we headed for the centre to find something to eat. It was so cold that we entered the nearest hostelry, which wasn't ideal as it smelt strongly of bleach, but when the meals eventually arrived, the food was hot and in plentiful supply.
Our hunger satiated, we decided on a wander round and came across these wonderful gardens just below the castle walls...
When Robert is home he always encourages us to go out if we can. Today we decided to wait until it had stopped snowing horizontally and then we set out.
A month or so ago I received an email from a craft website saying if I re-registered with them, I would be entered in a draw for £20.00 of vouchers. Surprise, surprise, weeks later, I received the vouchers... One of the nearest places to spend them is Tamworth, so as we hadn't visited there before, it became today's destination. Shopping done, we headed for the centre to find something to eat. It was so cold that we entered the nearest hostelry, which wasn't ideal as it smelt strongly of bleach, but when the meals eventually arrived, the food was hot and in plentiful supply.
Our hunger satiated, we decided on a wander round and came across these wonderful gardens just below the castle walls...
Spellbound....
If we're out anywhere near Lichfield, then we have to make a short detour so that I can visit the bead shop there. I must have made the shortest visit ever today and so met up with Robert for a walk round in the afternoon sun. (We'd left Graham having a nap in the car.) The cathedral looked so photogenic I couldn't resist a few shots of it, but as Robert went inside to escape the cold, I was left to wait to follow someone else in as I couldn't pull open the door!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Who Will Buy...?
At last, have put these up on my Etsy site. Will have to wait and see if anyone is tempted...
IN BRIEF
Monday 17th March
Only two classes this week - am so looking forward to having a rest from teaching and spending as much as Hermione will let me on actually making something...
Abigail cancelled piano lesson as auditions for school play being held. Harriet seemed quite calm at penultimate lesson before Grade 5 exam on Wednesday.
Tuesday 18th March
Lucy home since last Friday, so we can go shopping when we like. Spent some of this afternoon at Dunelm in Ilkeston choosing new duvet and duvet cover together.
Arden and Harriet came for 'last lessons' before exam tomorrow. Am hopeful that Arden will gain a Merit...
Wednesday 19th March
As Graham's arrival home becomes imminent, have tried to get a minimal of tidying up done. Hermione has taken exception to moving a few magazines around and I'm back to square one.
Thursday 20th
Received Easter cards from Graham's mum and Kimberley. Dorset is having school holidays now and Kimberley is off to see Venice for a few days.
After yesterday, wasn't sure how I was going to drive to teaching, but it was accomplished and I was soon back home being comforted by my trusty hot water bottle. Have made appointment with doctor, not sure what it will achieve...
Friday 21st
Graham home before 8am and in bed asleep before 10am. Went to Nandos (all three) for lunch and then Lucy and I had a shopping afternoon in town. Three shops in Westfield have already closed down with another selling off all stock. The good news is Primark will be up and running by the summer.
Lucy deposited at Ben's after shopping and one last run out to collect Robert from the station at 8.00pm
Monday 17th March
Only two classes this week - am so looking forward to having a rest from teaching and spending as much as Hermione will let me on actually making something...
Abigail cancelled piano lesson as auditions for school play being held. Harriet seemed quite calm at penultimate lesson before Grade 5 exam on Wednesday.
Tuesday 18th March
Lucy home since last Friday, so we can go shopping when we like. Spent some of this afternoon at Dunelm in Ilkeston choosing new duvet and duvet cover together.
Arden and Harriet came for 'last lessons' before exam tomorrow. Am hopeful that Arden will gain a Merit...
Wednesday 19th March
As Graham's arrival home becomes imminent, have tried to get a minimal of tidying up done. Hermione has taken exception to moving a few magazines around and I'm back to square one.
Thursday 20th
Received Easter cards from Graham's mum and Kimberley. Dorset is having school holidays now and Kimberley is off to see Venice for a few days.
After yesterday, wasn't sure how I was going to drive to teaching, but it was accomplished and I was soon back home being comforted by my trusty hot water bottle. Have made appointment with doctor, not sure what it will achieve...
Friday 21st
Graham home before 8am and in bed asleep before 10am. Went to Nandos (all three) for lunch and then Lucy and I had a shopping afternoon in town. Three shops in Westfield have already closed down with another selling off all stock. The good news is Primark will be up and running by the summer.
Lucy deposited at Ben's after shopping and one last run out to collect Robert from the station at 8.00pm
Trip To NEC, Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show
Friday 14th March
Alison Murray is on the extreme left of the house. If she'd charged £1.00 for everyone who took a photo of the Gingerbread House on their mobile phone, she'd be a millionaire!
There is also a book of gingerbread recipes you can buy to help raise money for Great Ormond Street.
Alison Murray is on the extreme left of the house. If she'd charged £1.00 for everyone who took a photo of the Gingerbread House on their mobile phone, she'd be a millionaire!
There is also a book of gingerbread recipes you can buy to help raise money for Great Ormond Street.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
IN BRIEF
Monday 11th March
Day started well with another of my pictures printed in the local paper. (See below) Had emails from some of the guests from Graham's party and a few photos from Dave.
Felt suitably organised for Jewellery class this afternoon and managed to leave on time. It seems to be that time in the term when students suddenly can't make it is it me or them...?. On the upside, I have been invited to do a workshop at Marston Brewery in August, in their workplace which will a first for me and I hope the first of many.
At least no cancellations with piano pupils, Abigail is at last remembering notes and 'getting the hang' of how to play the piano. Harriet has her Grade 5 exam next week.
Graham rang to say he was safely in New York and that the time difference is only 4 hours at the moment instead of the usual 5. Sunny, but cold.
Tuesday 12th March
Morning spent updating the website, afternoon saw a new initiative of having a short drive out. The plan is to perhaps go a bit further each week as and when Hermione will let me. Went to Ilkeston and bought some Easter eggs to say 'thank you' to the people who have helped me by carrying my things to and from the car to my class.
Wednesday 13th March
Lessons to plan, emails to write.
Short trip to garden centre in afternoon.
Thursday 14th March
Busy morning and then was surprised when the boiler man turned up at 11.00am. I'd been told on Tuesday that he was fully booked this week, must have swung it when I said the boiler wasn't working properly! It wasn't the usual chap, he always tells me off for covering up the air brick or lectures me on the state of the chimney (bits keep falling down it as it needs repointing.) In fact he seemed so genuinely nice that he was offered a cup of coffee the moment he walked in! Having taken the boiler apart and rummaged in the oil shed (apparently there was a problem with the oil flow) he finally left at 23 minutes past 12. I left at 25 minutes past 12, 5 minutes later than usual. Rushing to make up time I came across an horrendous accident at a nearby crossing which had happened moments before. Three cars seemed to have been involved and the wreckage was strewn everywhere. Cars had stopped to help and I followed the car in front gingerly skirting around the car left in the middle of the road. I met two police cars and a fire engine coming from the opposite direction. It's at moments like these you hold your breath, thank the powers that be you were not involved and hope that no one was seriously injured.
Teaching the class did take my mind off it for the time being. However, the phone was ringing as I arrived back in the house and the person ringing was the sister of my piano pupil: "Harrriet can't come to her piano lesson, her mum's been involved in a car accident"... I knew I recognised the car in the road, I just couldn't place it. For the record, Harriet's mum wasn't injured, nor the occupants of the other car involved. During a lapse in concentration, in negotiating the crossing, she'd omitted to look both ways with disastrous consequences...
Friday 15th March
Extremely busy morning at Crafts, even with full quota of helpers, it is so draining...
Left class and headed for the train station and caught the next train to Birmingham, alighting at the NEC. Spent a very enjoyable afternoon 'networking' (what a pretentious word) with a variety of people connected with my job with the UK Hand Knitting Association and then went mad and spent lots of money on beads, lots more fun...(See above)
Monday 11th March
Day started well with another of my pictures printed in the local paper. (See below) Had emails from some of the guests from Graham's party and a few photos from Dave.
Felt suitably organised for Jewellery class this afternoon and managed to leave on time. It seems to be that time in the term when students suddenly can't make it is it me or them...?. On the upside, I have been invited to do a workshop at Marston Brewery in August, in their workplace which will a first for me and I hope the first of many.
At least no cancellations with piano pupils, Abigail is at last remembering notes and 'getting the hang' of how to play the piano. Harriet has her Grade 5 exam next week.
Graham rang to say he was safely in New York and that the time difference is only 4 hours at the moment instead of the usual 5. Sunny, but cold.
Tuesday 12th March
Morning spent updating the website, afternoon saw a new initiative of having a short drive out. The plan is to perhaps go a bit further each week as and when Hermione will let me. Went to Ilkeston and bought some Easter eggs to say 'thank you' to the people who have helped me by carrying my things to and from the car to my class.
Wednesday 13th March
Lessons to plan, emails to write.
Short trip to garden centre in afternoon.
Thursday 14th March
Busy morning and then was surprised when the boiler man turned up at 11.00am. I'd been told on Tuesday that he was fully booked this week, must have swung it when I said the boiler wasn't working properly! It wasn't the usual chap, he always tells me off for covering up the air brick or lectures me on the state of the chimney (bits keep falling down it as it needs repointing.) In fact he seemed so genuinely nice that he was offered a cup of coffee the moment he walked in! Having taken the boiler apart and rummaged in the oil shed (apparently there was a problem with the oil flow) he finally left at 23 minutes past 12. I left at 25 minutes past 12, 5 minutes later than usual. Rushing to make up time I came across an horrendous accident at a nearby crossing which had happened moments before. Three cars seemed to have been involved and the wreckage was strewn everywhere. Cars had stopped to help and I followed the car in front gingerly skirting around the car left in the middle of the road. I met two police cars and a fire engine coming from the opposite direction. It's at moments like these you hold your breath, thank the powers that be you were not involved and hope that no one was seriously injured.
Teaching the class did take my mind off it for the time being. However, the phone was ringing as I arrived back in the house and the person ringing was the sister of my piano pupil: "Harrriet can't come to her piano lesson, her mum's been involved in a car accident"... I knew I recognised the car in the road, I just couldn't place it. For the record, Harriet's mum wasn't injured, nor the occupants of the other car involved. During a lapse in concentration, in negotiating the crossing, she'd omitted to look both ways with disastrous consequences...
Friday 15th March
Extremely busy morning at Crafts, even with full quota of helpers, it is so draining...
Left class and headed for the train station and caught the next train to Birmingham, alighting at the NEC. Spent a very enjoyable afternoon 'networking' (what a pretentious word) with a variety of people connected with my job with the UK Hand Knitting Association and then went mad and spent lots of money on beads, lots more fun...(See above)
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Day Of The Party...
Saturday 8th March
There was an air of excitement in the house when we awoke on Saturday. We've not had a proper party before, not where we've hired a room, money has exchanged hands and lots of emails sent to confirm details.
When Graham was 40, I did offer to organise a party, but the message was quite clear: "Under no circumstances..." So when just before Christmas it was mentioned: " I would like a surprise party for my 50th" I had to put my thinking cap on...
I am not a natural organiser, but I suppose we all have to start somewhere. I tried to think of a venue; restaurant, village hall, boat. All the odds seemed stacked against me, the room at the restaurant wasn't free the date we wanted, Robert and Lucy said hiring a hall and getting caterers would be 'pants' and the only local boat you could hire had sunk without trace the year before. (Closed down)
Back to the drawing board, even with the help of two expert internet surfers, we still could find a suitable venue. So in came Plan B, change the date to when the venue was free. This worked better than expected as it only meant delaying by one week and one couple who couldn't originally come were now free.
A fortnight before the party, I thought I'd better check that the restaurant had received my booking cheque:"What cheque?... when did you send it?" This was swiftly paid over the phone with a credit card! A week before the party, I sent out final details on emails and queried with one invitee "Hope you received my email, nope, what email?"
What else could go wrong?....nothing...huge sigh of relief...
There was an air of excitement in the house when we awoke on Saturday. We've not had a proper party before, not where we've hired a room, money has exchanged hands and lots of emails sent to confirm details.
When Graham was 40, I did offer to organise a party, but the message was quite clear: "Under no circumstances..." So when just before Christmas it was mentioned: " I would like a surprise party for my 50th" I had to put my thinking cap on...
I am not a natural organiser, but I suppose we all have to start somewhere. I tried to think of a venue; restaurant, village hall, boat. All the odds seemed stacked against me, the room at the restaurant wasn't free the date we wanted, Robert and Lucy said hiring a hall and getting caterers would be 'pants' and the only local boat you could hire had sunk without trace the year before. (Closed down)
Back to the drawing board, even with the help of two expert internet surfers, we still could find a suitable venue. So in came Plan B, change the date to when the venue was free. This worked better than expected as it only meant delaying by one week and one couple who couldn't originally come were now free.
A fortnight before the party, I thought I'd better check that the restaurant had received my booking cheque:"What cheque?... when did you send it?" This was swiftly paid over the phone with a credit card! A week before the party, I sent out final details on emails and queried with one invitee "Hope you received my email, nope, what email?"
What else could go wrong?....nothing...huge sigh of relief...
The Venue....
The Coopers Arms proved to be a brilliant venue. In hiring the James 1st Room you get two rooms, in one your own bar and in the other circular tables laid out ready to eat. You can even choose the colour scheme (OK just the colour of the napkins, but it was nice to be asked!)
We four arrived at 6.00pm armed with a large helium filled motorbike to guide our guests up the stairs, confetti to sprinkle over the tables. lots of balloons to inflate, banners and the 'surprise' birthday cakes.
We four arrived at 6.00pm armed with a large helium filled motorbike to guide our guests up the stairs, confetti to sprinkle over the tables. lots of balloons to inflate, banners and the 'surprise' birthday cakes.
Presentations....
About a week before the party, Alistair from work had phoned me and asked what Graham would like for a present. I said I'd have a think about it and get back to him. Over the week end I pestered Graham to write down a 'wish list' of the all presents he might like in the future, but he couldn't see the point and refused. I wasn't going to tell him the real reason...
Monday came and I had to phone Alistair. I said that I thought Graham must have been very disappointed when after 25 years in the rail industry his services weren't acknowledged... no clock, no certificate no nothing, and I thought it would really mean something if they chose 'anything' and had it engraved to become a special memory of a special day. Alistair took the idea and ran with it. Not only did they find a pocket watch and had an inscription put on the box, but the watch had its own significance for the occasion. Dating from 1914 it was given to one of the people responsible for improving timekeeping on the American Railroads (lots were handed out!) And as Graham is now involved in selling monitoring equipment to the US, it is so appropriate.
Graham was completely 'bowled over', speechless, in awe... it was lovely to see...
Monday came and I had to phone Alistair. I said that I thought Graham must have been very disappointed when after 25 years in the rail industry his services weren't acknowledged... no clock, no certificate no nothing, and I thought it would really mean something if they chose 'anything' and had it engraved to become a special memory of a special day. Alistair took the idea and ran with it. Not only did they find a pocket watch and had an inscription put on the box, but the watch had its own significance for the occasion. Dating from 1914 it was given to one of the people responsible for improving timekeeping on the American Railroads (lots were handed out!) And as Graham is now involved in selling monitoring equipment to the US, it is so appropriate.
Graham was completely 'bowled over', speechless, in awe... it was lovely to see...
Birthday Cake...
The final surprise was simple but effective. Lucy and I had spent 'days' trying to find the perfect cake, without success. Robert happened to mention that at Tescos, they could print a picture directly onto icing. I tried to phone Tescos to ask for details, but couldn't get through to anyone who knew anything, so in desperation I phoned Asda instead. All you had to do was take a photo which they photocopied...job done! In fact for £8.86 I thought it best to have two, one plain, one chocolate!
Do I get commission?
Do I get commission?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Published Again...
Wednesday 5th March
Consecutive days, Graham was in the paper yesterday and today it was my turn...
Consecutive days, Graham was in the paper yesterday and today it was my turn...
Out And About...
Tuesday 4th March
I've lost count of the number of times I've been past this field where these ponies are kept and thought "I should stop, they look very photogenic today" well, today I stopped and was quite pleased with the results.
I had another short walk round Milford, but didn't get very far as it was so cold. Just glad that I could manage a short drive, feels like I am making some progress.
Did I mention that during a conference last week, Graham got talking to a journalist from the local paper. Today he was quoted in the Business part of The Derby Evening Telegraph and had his photograph included (it was one that I'd taken a while back).
I've lost count of the number of times I've been past this field where these ponies are kept and thought "I should stop, they look very photogenic today" well, today I stopped and was quite pleased with the results.
I had another short walk round Milford, but didn't get very far as it was so cold. Just glad that I could manage a short drive, feels like I am making some progress.
Did I mention that during a conference last week, Graham got talking to a journalist from the local paper. Today he was quoted in the Business part of The Derby Evening Telegraph and had his photograph included (it was one that I'd taken a while back).
Avoiding Disappointment...
Sunday 2nd March
It was strange having Mother's Day so early this year. Even so I did manage to send flowers to my mum and Graham's mum. I didn't want to run the risk of being disappointed, so Lucy helped me choose these from M&S.
Oh, and I did get a card from Lucy, it said: "From Your Little Angel", word for word that's 50% correct...
It was strange having Mother's Day so early this year. Even so I did manage to send flowers to my mum and Graham's mum. I didn't want to run the risk of being disappointed, so Lucy helped me choose these from M&S.
Oh, and I did get a card from Lucy, it said: "From Your Little Angel", word for word that's 50% correct...
Birthday Boy...
Thursday 28th February
Birthdays are funny days... full of highs and lows. The day began early as Graham had to take my car to the garage for service and MOT and I had to collect him. Then I had the two piano lessons - I did think about cancelling, but one is new and very enthusiastic and the other was off to India for three weeks. Then it was time to dash off to my Jewellery class, depositing Graham near the Local Studies library for some ancestral research. Picked Graham up on my way home outside the local motorbike shop, but had to ask him to drive home as I was struggling to cope with Hermione. Another piano lesson which couldn't be cancelled as the girl is taking her Grade 5 in two weeks, collect car, drive home and then set off to Loughborough. The plan was to collect Lucy from the station, pick up Robert from his house there and have a meal at a restaurant in Quorn.
The restaurant and the service was lovely, I just wasn't too keen on the food! However, it was nice just to be together on this special occasion and for us all to be able to forget our worries for a couple of hours...
Birthdays are funny days... full of highs and lows. The day began early as Graham had to take my car to the garage for service and MOT and I had to collect him. Then I had the two piano lessons - I did think about cancelling, but one is new and very enthusiastic and the other was off to India for three weeks. Then it was time to dash off to my Jewellery class, depositing Graham near the Local Studies library for some ancestral research. Picked Graham up on my way home outside the local motorbike shop, but had to ask him to drive home as I was struggling to cope with Hermione. Another piano lesson which couldn't be cancelled as the girl is taking her Grade 5 in two weeks, collect car, drive home and then set off to Loughborough. The plan was to collect Lucy from the station, pick up Robert from his house there and have a meal at a restaurant in Quorn.
The restaurant and the service was lovely, I just wasn't too keen on the food! However, it was nice just to be together on this special occasion and for us all to be able to forget our worries for a couple of hours...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Back To My Blog...
With all this family history to write down, day to day events have taken a bit of a back seat.
Friday 22nd February
Up early and off to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary for an appointment at 10 to 9, Clinic E. Last week, I had to make an appointment at the doctors for a problem that was making Hermione worse. I saw a doctor who I'd last seen at the very beginning of my quest for a diagnosis in 2005. Although I felt that she too thought this was 'all been in my head' she was the only one to mention that I might have a hernia. It was just a shame she wasn't more convinced - and we made a joint decision to try the gynaecology department first.
While I was there, she showed me a letter from my consultant that I'd not seen before. It stated that when he did the operation, "there was no obvious hernia, only a bulge". I couldn't believe my eyes... Having endured a second herniogram and seen Hermione with my own eyes, he had the gall to state "there was no obvious hernia". The more I thought about this, the more it preyed on my mind. Knowing that I had an appointment with the consultant the following week, I rang up and arranged to see the X-rays. Of course, come the day, there were no X-rays to be seen until I'd made a fuss...and then there it was my hernia as clear as day. The consultant spent the whole time going round in circles, not listening to what I was saying...so I will say it here:
"If he couldn't see the hernia, because I was lying flat during the operation and therefore not locate the precise point of weakness, then maybe, just maybe, the mesh he sewed into me may have missed the actual area it needed to cover - and that's why I have been in so much pain and discomfort ever since".
Result of appointment: The consultant kept saying that we may have missed something so sent me for an X-ray ( in my mind a placebo as it won't show up any soft tissue problems) and referred me to the pain clinic....lucky me - does that mean I get to use cannabis (had to look up the spelling, don't laugh) legally...?
Friday 22nd February
Up early and off to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary for an appointment at 10 to 9, Clinic E. Last week, I had to make an appointment at the doctors for a problem that was making Hermione worse. I saw a doctor who I'd last seen at the very beginning of my quest for a diagnosis in 2005. Although I felt that she too thought this was 'all been in my head' she was the only one to mention that I might have a hernia. It was just a shame she wasn't more convinced - and we made a joint decision to try the gynaecology department first.
While I was there, she showed me a letter from my consultant that I'd not seen before. It stated that when he did the operation, "there was no obvious hernia, only a bulge". I couldn't believe my eyes... Having endured a second herniogram and seen Hermione with my own eyes, he had the gall to state "there was no obvious hernia". The more I thought about this, the more it preyed on my mind. Knowing that I had an appointment with the consultant the following week, I rang up and arranged to see the X-rays. Of course, come the day, there were no X-rays to be seen until I'd made a fuss...and then there it was my hernia as clear as day. The consultant spent the whole time going round in circles, not listening to what I was saying...so I will say it here:
"If he couldn't see the hernia, because I was lying flat during the operation and therefore not locate the precise point of weakness, then maybe, just maybe, the mesh he sewed into me may have missed the actual area it needed to cover - and that's why I have been in so much pain and discomfort ever since".
Result of appointment: The consultant kept saying that we may have missed something so sent me for an X-ray ( in my mind a placebo as it won't show up any soft tissue problems) and referred me to the pain clinic....lucky me - does that mean I get to use cannabis (had to look up the spelling, don't laugh) legally...?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Edwin Barker Winn's Link With Uppingham, Rutland
My great grandfather on my mother's side was called Edwin Barker Winn (1861- 1943). His father Thomas (1831-1869) was a maltster and they lived in Barby, near Coventry. Both mother (Eliza Elkington 1833-1866) and father died in their thirties, so he and his brother William Elkington Winn were sent to live with two of their uncles and their wives one of whom ran the Ironmonger's Shop in Uppingham, Rutland and the other is listed as a Silk Mercer. (There was a sister, Mary Barker Winn who stayed with other relations in Barby). This photo shows the same shop which has remained virtually unchanged from that day to this. We went inside, unable to resist having a look -it was like stepping back in time - or rather it looked just like the set of The Two Ronnies famous 'Fork Handles' sketch -shelves from floor to ceiling.
Edwin Barker Winn Goes To Uppingham School, Or Not...
Walking round Uppingham, we soon came across 'Uppingham School' which is on a par with Rugby and Eton and boasts such famous ex-boys as Stephen Fry (who was expelled), Boris Karloff ( real name William Pratt), Malcolm and Donald Campbell (land and water speed record holders) even Rick Stein was there. It was founded, along with another school at Oakham by Robert Johnson (1541-1645). By the time Edwin and his brother William were living in Uppingham, it had grown from a handful of boys to around 300. Family legend had it that the brothers attended a school in Uppingham, but it moved to Hastings and they didn't go with it. Having bought a few local history books from the paper shop in the High Street, we soon came across a few facts that matched this apparent conundrum. In 1875 there was a outbreak of Typhoid in Uppingham and after the deaths of five boys, it was decided to up sticks and take the whole school lock, stock and barrel to Borth near Aberystwyth in Wales. Off they went to the nearest station, hired a train , loaded up and stayed away for a whole year. There, is seemed, was our answer to this unlikely story of the school moving to Hasting, as with many 'word of mouth' stories it was in fact to Borth.
Uppingham School Records For Sale..
Since our visit to Uppingham, we have tried in vain to find any record of Edwin, or his brother William attending Uppingham school as a day pupil or a border. We now have in our possession, a book listing everyone who attended from 1853 to 1947 and no where is there any mention of Edwin or William Winn. We even bought an envelope from eBay addressed to a Hugh Wylie at Uppingham school and he is listed!
Ten years on Edwin was apprenticed to a horse dealer in Hampton Lucy near Stratford Upon Avon, a William Wynn of Ryan House Stud Farm and William his brother, had moved to Nottingham and working for a cycle firm, was soon to be married, have three children in quick succession and then be widowed shortly after.
About this time Edwin changed the spelling of his surname from Winn to Wynn probably to further his business connections. More strange is the fact that his brother followed suit with the same change of spelling. Gerald Wynn, one of Edwin's seven sons (there was also a daughter) was my grandfather (he died in 1953) and is the person I was named after.
Ten years on Edwin was apprenticed to a horse dealer in Hampton Lucy near Stratford Upon Avon, a William Wynn of Ryan House Stud Farm and William his brother, had moved to Nottingham and working for a cycle firm, was soon to be married, have three children in quick succession and then be widowed shortly after.
About this time Edwin changed the spelling of his surname from Winn to Wynn probably to further his business connections. More strange is the fact that his brother followed suit with the same change of spelling. Gerald Wynn, one of Edwin's seven sons (there was also a daughter) was my grandfather (he died in 1953) and is the person I was named after.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Collecting The Past
Visiting my parents meant that we could at last take photos of the photos they had in their possession. I had seen most of them before, but this time they seemed to take on so much more importance. We have learned so much about the lives of our forebears in recent weeks that they are now 'real' to us. The state of the photos on the whole wasn't that brilliant, but over the last week I have spent many hours trying to restore them to some of their former glory.
By writing about the people in the photos, I know I run the risk of upsetting some of my relations. This is not my intention, I have tried to report their lives in as fair a way as I can. By piecing together the snippets of information, we have been privileged to glimpse a brief moment in their lives, a true 'Window On Their World'...
Thomas Watkins (1894 - 1971)
This handsome lad was my grandfather, pictured about the age of 18. There is a strong likeness between him and my father and makes me wish I had seen more photos of my dad at the same age.
He fought in the first World War over in France, or rather his job was to take supplies up to the front line during the hours of darkness using mules. Legend has it that he once got into terrible trouble when he lit a fire under a stubborn mule to get it moving - it did the trick!
I've never heard anything good about Thomas, which is very sad and although I never met him, I'm loathed to believe that he didn't have some redeeming qualities. I'm more inclined to believe that circumstances shaped his life and made him the person he is remembered for. He didn't have an easy time of it.
At fourteen he was working in a factory when without warning the floor suddenly gave way (he was on the second floor) and disappeared into an old mine shaft. It was only because he had the presence of mind to cling on to the wall that he lived to tell the tale. Having survived the First World War, physically unscathed, he came home and married Selina Proffitt. Baby Alice soon arrived, followed by Tommy. Tommy, the first son and named after his father. He died aged three, having caught pneumonia after tipping a bucket of freezing cold water over himself while staying at the house of his aunt and uncle. My father, Pryce, born in 1928, was named after a long succession of Pryce's on his mother's side, but all with the surname of Bliss and originally from Monmouthshire in Wales. Then sisters Fanny Winifred (Nance) and Selina, the youngest.
Thomas worked as a 'Jointer', which meant he was responsible for laying town sewage pipes over the whole of the country and was rarely at home. Money was so tight that Selina had to get a job making washers in a factory and when my father passed to go to the local grammar school, he was unable to go as there was no money to buy the uniform. Selina contracted TB and died two weeks before war was declared in September 1939, she was only 36.
The children survived by staying with various relatives, all of who lived quite close, including grandparents who lived two doors away. One set of aunt and uncle were both deaf and dumb and while staying there my dad learned to sign. It's really not surprising that Thomas turned to drink for solace...
During the summer of 1941, my father was sent to a farm for a holiday and at the end of the time had proved himself so useful, the farmer, 'Reader' was reluctant for him to return to school. So at the age of 13 and a half, he found himself working all hours. Apparently the authorities did write and demand that my father return to school until the legal age of 14 when he could leave, but this was war time and they never followed it up. He was allowed home one a month, but as there was no one really left at home and the journey took so long, he gave up returning and virtually lost contact with his sisters for a very long time.
He fought in the first World War over in France, or rather his job was to take supplies up to the front line during the hours of darkness using mules. Legend has it that he once got into terrible trouble when he lit a fire under a stubborn mule to get it moving - it did the trick!
I've never heard anything good about Thomas, which is very sad and although I never met him, I'm loathed to believe that he didn't have some redeeming qualities. I'm more inclined to believe that circumstances shaped his life and made him the person he is remembered for. He didn't have an easy time of it.
At fourteen he was working in a factory when without warning the floor suddenly gave way (he was on the second floor) and disappeared into an old mine shaft. It was only because he had the presence of mind to cling on to the wall that he lived to tell the tale. Having survived the First World War, physically unscathed, he came home and married Selina Proffitt. Baby Alice soon arrived, followed by Tommy. Tommy, the first son and named after his father. He died aged three, having caught pneumonia after tipping a bucket of freezing cold water over himself while staying at the house of his aunt and uncle. My father, Pryce, born in 1928, was named after a long succession of Pryce's on his mother's side, but all with the surname of Bliss and originally from Monmouthshire in Wales. Then sisters Fanny Winifred (Nance) and Selina, the youngest.
Thomas worked as a 'Jointer', which meant he was responsible for laying town sewage pipes over the whole of the country and was rarely at home. Money was so tight that Selina had to get a job making washers in a factory and when my father passed to go to the local grammar school, he was unable to go as there was no money to buy the uniform. Selina contracted TB and died two weeks before war was declared in September 1939, she was only 36.
The children survived by staying with various relatives, all of who lived quite close, including grandparents who lived two doors away. One set of aunt and uncle were both deaf and dumb and while staying there my dad learned to sign. It's really not surprising that Thomas turned to drink for solace...
During the summer of 1941, my father was sent to a farm for a holiday and at the end of the time had proved himself so useful, the farmer, 'Reader' was reluctant for him to return to school. So at the age of 13 and a half, he found himself working all hours. Apparently the authorities did write and demand that my father return to school until the legal age of 14 when he could leave, but this was war time and they never followed it up. He was allowed home one a month, but as there was no one really left at home and the journey took so long, he gave up returning and virtually lost contact with his sisters for a very long time.
Selina Watkins (nee Proffitt) 1902-1939
Selina was the grandmother I never knew. She was born in 1902, got married in 1924, had five children and was dead from TB aged only 36 in 1939. We now know who her sisters and brothers were and who her parents and her grandparents were and their professions, but we still know relatively little about her.
I cannot help wondering what she was really like, but at least we now have her photo...
I cannot help wondering what she was really like, but at least we now have her photo...
Thomas Butler (1895 - 1924)
My grandmother married Thomas Butler in 1920. He had fought in the First World War, been captured by the Germans, endured great hardship in a prisoner of war camp, but come home in one piece. They went to live in Alvechurch near Bidford on Avon in Warwickshire and we know that Thomas was a grocer's assistant. I hope they had four happy years together because by spring of 1924, Thomas was dead from TB, a disease which according the the death certificate had killed him in 2 and a half years. They had no children, so he is not a blood relation of mine, but in different circumstances he could have been, so I feel an affinity for him. It was only by chance that my mother discovered this photograph tucked behind a photo of my grandmother. In its original condition, the photo was stained and someone had carelessly placed a cup on Thomas and left a mark around his neck. He wasn't rich and he didn't achieve a great deal - but he could have been my grandfather and that's what makes him special...
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
My Connection With The Garrick Inn, Stratford
Wednesday 20th February
Today we had planned to visit my parents and search out a few ancestors on the way. Graham has recently found out that my great, great grand mother, Mary Ann Page (nee Coldicott born 1841 in Campden), and widowed early, took over the running of The Garrick Inn, High Street, Stratford between 1888 and 1901 She then moved to 'The Unicorn', later known as 'The Pen And Quill' and later The Falcon, both in Bridge Street, but now known by different names
The Garrick is still there in the High Street and has its own intriguing history. We were hoping to meet up and have lunch there, but it was very foggy, and my parents weren't keen to venture out. However, we couldn't resist having a closer look on the way down, especially as we have walked passed so many times unaware of our connection with this building...
Today we had planned to visit my parents and search out a few ancestors on the way. Graham has recently found out that my great, great grand mother, Mary Ann Page (nee Coldicott born 1841 in Campden), and widowed early, took over the running of The Garrick Inn, High Street, Stratford between 1888 and 1901 She then moved to 'The Unicorn', later known as 'The Pen And Quill' and later The Falcon, both in Bridge Street, but now known by different names
The Garrick is still there in the High Street and has its own intriguing history. We were hoping to meet up and have lunch there, but it was very foggy, and my parents weren't keen to venture out. However, we couldn't resist having a closer look on the way down, especially as we have walked passed so many times unaware of our connection with this building...
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