We moved to Sheffield (44 Montrose Rd, Eccleshall. Phone 53098). My sister was new and my mum was quite ill afterwards. I was sent to stay at my Grandparents (mum’s parents) in Thorne near Doncaster for long periods. My relationship with my grandpa was very important to me. He let me “help” with jobs he worked on. He built bikes and was practical. He died when I was 8 and I don’t think I was allowed to cry much when he died. Looking back this seemed a key moment as I don’t remember being emotionally present at any other event in my life for a 30 years. It wasn’t anything dramatic. Just looking back I don’t remember feelings about things – like getting excited about holidays or worried about school. I just did stuff.
There were things I remember – birthday parties where I lost the plot – seem to feature. There was one where my dad turned the pin a tail on a donkey board upside down when it was my turn. And another at out favourite picnic spot in Derbyshire where things weren’t going my way (cant remember the detail) but I got into a terrible temper.
I also remember hard snowy winters and queuing in traffic to buy me a sledge which I kept into adulthood.
I went to Miss Mease’s preschool and won a prize for reading – a Brenda Bear book, which I later scribbled in and my mum was so cross she threw it at me. I remember my first day at Holts House Infant school walking down what seemed a very long tree lined drive next to Nevil Hinchcliffe who’s birthday was the same as mine. Which is interesting because Anthony started nursery on the same day as Bobby Carter who shared the same birthday and Ant. There was a guy at school called Barry Groscott, who was an early victim of Thalidomide and wore a plastic arm which he used to slip off and wave a stump at us in the playground.
At the bottom of the garden lived the Gardeners! Pam and David with children Nick and Diana. Diana was about 3 weeks older than me. We played a lot together. Mum continued to be Pam’s friend until she died in her 90’s.
I was knocked down by a motorbike when I was 6 or 7 crossing the road opposite our house without looking properly. Mum was away and Dad watched it happen. I was OK!
I remember rollerskating and having a scooter which I attached cardboard faring to after a trip to Oulton Park to watch motorbike racing.
My junior school was Carterknowle Junior. I remember segregated playgrounds and entrances and Margaret Drabble who was taller than me. I was 4’10 aged 8. We move to Lincoln in November of my second year.