Viva La Vida

Who said the lead singer of Coldpay can't sing? Oh yes he can.

Back in the 50s we had a supervised game of football in the playground. Mr Spence was the teacher on duty.I captained one side [the reds] against the blues. It is a remarkable  that I played at centre forward and missed about twenty chances. I was not a natural striker and every time the keeper came out, to narrow the angle, I shot wildly; I imagine the windows of St Luke's Church must have been in danger, especially when I had been forced out to the left, at the Esh end, prior to shooting. Never again did I allow such panic to occur; it was just a wild tune up. Anyway the glass was half full, was it not ? At least I had engineered twenty chances.

Also back in the 50s I found it very painful indeed to have a different surname to my half sister. Sometimes fellow pupils would ask me why I had a different surname. It really was distressing; it was as if I was the victim of the cold and unimaginative morality of the time, ie one in which divorce, or being born out of wedlock, was more than frowned upon. Good grief  -such a situation is common now. 

When I was about seven I set fire to my half sister's toy house. Was it an accident? Was it deliberate? What was going on in that tiny brain of mine? Actually I have no idea and had forgotten the incident, until reminded of it many years later!

Sometimes I must seem to be like a rebel without a cause. Several times on this site I have stated that it is best not to be overawed by 'betters' or the 'authorities'. Yes do keep within the law  - but at the same time if you feel something is wrong I think it is usually best to say so. Life is very short but youngsters are often slow to realise it, and by the time they do it might be too late. It is amazing what confidence can do for you. I say to youngsters get a bit of an education - it does not need to be a degree - get experience and fix some goals. Goals can be changed, or in my case missed. If they are missed do make sure that your local church windows are insured.

Now for a bit of further editing: I was not born out of wedlock! That is the case, but I am making myself laugh in the process of typing it!

WB