A rather late Sunday greeting to you all,
May I remind you that this Tuesday we will hear from Dave Sullivan, our district D.A. I am sure that we'll learn some interesting facts about out judicial system – which I hope none of us have been on the receiving end of – except for the few brave souls who willingly let themselves be arrested while campaigning for civil rights. To them, I tip my hat.
We treated ourselves to breakfast at Esselon's this morning, where we arranged to meet some friends.
Our conversation touched on the ways in which our lifestyles have changed since our youth. One of the major differences revolves around the presence or absence of public transport. All through my childhood and youth we relied on public transport and the mile-long walk to the bus stop was considered merely a short walk down the road. At the stop we would come across neighbours with whom we would chat while waiting for the bus. Local news and family updates would be exchanged and in this way people kept in touch with the comings and goings in the area. Although we rarely ventured inside eachother's houses, this was Britain and the land of formal relationships!, nevertheless we knew our neighbours and were always available in times of need. Not only that, we also remained fit and active, walking in all weathers to the general stores and carrying heavy shopping bags on a regular basis.
As children, we walked to school alone from an early age with no thought of personal safety. Later, when I attended high school, I had to catch two buses, which I did alone even in the depths of winter when darkness had fallen by the time school ended.
Our conversation touched on the ways in which our lifestyles have changed since our youth. One of the major differences revolves around the presence or absence of public transport. All through my childhood and youth we relied on public transport and the mile-long walk to the bus stop was considered merely a short walk down the road. At the stop we would come across neighbours with whom we would chat while waiting for the bus. Local news and family updates would be exchanged and in this way people kept in touch with the comings and goings in the area. Although we rarely ventured inside eachother's houses, this was Britain and the land of formal relationships!, nevertheless we knew our neighbours and were always available in times of need. Not only that, we also remained fit and active, walking in all weathers to the general stores and carrying heavy shopping bags on a regular basis.
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| 29 Ryegate Rd., Liverpool |
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| Southbank Rd. Primary School, Liverpool |
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| Aigburth Vale High School for Girls |
I well remember one day when a thick smog had descended throughout Liverpool. This was in the days before the Clean Air Act, when most people burnt coal fires as their main source of heating and there would be occasions when the smog was so dense that all the buses stopped running. School ended early and we all had to walk home, for me that was about five miles. We would place a white handkerchief – an essential part of any young girl's wardrobe – over our mouth and nose and keep it in place by wrapping our long school scarf around our heads.
By the time I arrived home and removed the handkerchief, it was coated with a layer of a black tarry substance that would otherwise have made its way into my bronchial tubes. However, as the three adult members of my household all smoked cigarettes, and we burnt an open coal fire, I do wonder how it is that my lungs are still perfectly healthy and functioning.
By the time I arrived home and removed the handkerchief, it was coated with a layer of a black tarry substance that would otherwise have made its way into my bronchial tubes. However, as the three adult members of my household all smoked cigarettes, and we burnt an open coal fire, I do wonder how it is that my lungs are still perfectly healthy and functioning.
When I look back at old school photos I am struck by how skinny we all were. The same is evident in the old photos in the recently published book 'Harvesting History', which tells the story of farms here in Amherst since the year 1700. Although the way of life in the 'good old days' leaves much to be desired, yet this aspect of incorporating exercise into the normal daily routine was a great deal more healthy than our present day occasional car ride to the gym. I can't help but think it a a shame that the distance between our homes and the lack of sidewalks makes it so difficult to walk along the street and engage in conversation with our neighbours. After all, human interaction is, for many of us, what makes life worth living and for those who exist in comparative isolation, loneliness can be the biggest problem that they have to deal with.
Well, I hope that our weekly club lunches allow us to enjoy each other's company to the full, and that for members who are unable to attend, these weekly messages let you know that you are not forgotten.
Best,
Vivienne
