12 December, 2024 in From the author's desk
STAFF WELFARE IN 1959… John Mulholland had his Financial Times spread across the desk. His morning ritual always started with a check on his shares’ closing prices on the previous…
12 November, 2024 in From the author's desk
THE JOY OF TRAIN TRAVEL AND PORT TALBOT AT NIGHT 60 YEARS AGO… It seemed a dream. Yesterday was just another day in the filing room, and now, he was…
3 October, 2024 in From the author's desk
TRUTH IN THE BISCUIT TIN… “Peek Frean, makers of famous biscuits” said the faded red label on the lid. The tin had rusted in the corners where the label had…
3 September, 2024 in From the author's desk
THE CURSE OF CANCER… He stared at the crucifix on the wall; it reminded him to take Uncle Sebastian’s Magen David out of his pocket and place it around his…
1 August, 2024 in From the author's desk
THE FIRST JOB INTERVIEW… Only after he had left the train and was standing at the bus stop outside Victoria Station did Ian begin to fret. Even though the school…
2 July, 2024 in From the author's desk
THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF UNIVERSITY SIXTY YEARS AGO… Ian gently laid his beloved Raleigh bicycle, gear side up, on the gravel to the left of the front doors of Widcombe House,…
4 June, 2024 in From the author's desk
From the author’s desk… The late, great queen mother… ‘It now gives me great pleasure to declare this magnificent new classroom annexe, built for the Hope Venture by the boys…
2 May, 2024 in From the author's desk
The Coronation, no not last year but the one before in 1953… Ruth had secured two seats in the hospital lounge where Uncle Isaac used to work – she had…