Jill Sparrow

I remember the Mary Potter Health Centre being built. It was quite unusual of its time. As WW says, most GP surgeries were to be found in old Victorian houses and there were a number of them along Gregory Boulevard, including Dr Kelleher whose practice was in a similar house with a blue front door, across the road from Mary Potter. I believe he eventually moved in there. Our surgery was on the ground floor of a Victorian house near the Le Grand pub on Alfreton Road. Drs Kelly, McGrath and Halley. Irish, every one. Drank like fish and smoked like chimneys. They also had a practice i

Is it one of Ben's girlfriends? Even if no one knows her identity, there's still a very high probability that she's one of Ben's forrmer girlfriends. She has all the prerequisites: she's female and resides in the western hemisphere!

As a child, I thought it must be really exciting to find out you were adopted. I remember asking my parents over and over again whether I had been adopted, to the point where my exasperated father retorted "Unfortunately not. You're ours. I tried to swap you for a dog when you were born but the dog owner said the mutt was better looking!" In more recent years, during the course of my work I have come to realise the often traumatic nature of the stories behind adoption and the devastating effect this must have on those who can access it once they reach adulthood. Wisely, there are

Yes, indeed,Beekay. If I close my eyes, I can still mentally walk that route in my head. Many years now since I was last in that area but I couldn't get my bearings at all. Didn't recognise anything.

Looks a bit like Margie?

Didn't know that, FLY2. Were you adopted? Remember Norton Street well. Walked along it en route to Garden Street. There must have been many children born as a result of wartime liaisons. Figures for children fathered by GIs are incredible.

Your dentist doesn't sound like Ronald Acton. He had ginger hair and a temper to go with it. There were several dentists along Gregory Boulevard. Yours may have been Mr Booth, whose surgery was roughly where you describe. Booth was widowed in the 1950s and married his receptionist. Violet Booth was a friend of my mother's. What Booth was like as a dentist, I don't know but doubt anyone was as bad as Acton.

Crikey, Beekay! A real mystery. Your exact place of birth should be on your birth certificate. As I've said, I was a regular customer at Forest Dene. Measles at 5 years old left me with a propensity for bronchitis every winter. I played on it shamelessly because I knew it meant time off school! Nothing was dearer to my heart than time off school and so I did everything humanly possible to exacerbate the situation. I can't bring to mind any clinics on Gregory Boulevard which might have had maternity facilities but I'd certainly be looking into it if I were you. However, I'm a very

So many happy memories there. Beautiful buildings which reflect the original affluence of this area. My beloved library, Forest Dene where I was a regular visitor due to bronchitis in the winter, long gone shops and the bowling green where I remember sitting in my coachbuilt pram whilst mum sat on a bench,knitting and chatting to other mums. Being pushed on the swings on the forest by my grandad. In the autumn, wading through piles of fallen leaves whilst walking to the shops, on reins, with my mother. Later, I walked to and from Manning along this thoroughfare. It was, by then,det

No relation to Chulla I hope!

I will look out for you, Ben. I'll be the one dragging a quivering bloke into the day case unit. I suspect it will be like trying to get a dog through the door of the vet! Hernia repair. Surgeon has an excellent reputation. Takes 45 minutes. Glad it's not me!

I live there too, then. I have needle phobia. A once a year blood test is more than enough for me. As for holes, I was born with the regulation issue. I neither need nor want more. Each to their own.

When she's old enough to listen to her grandad's exploits, she won't believe it! Make sure you show her the photos of that cheeky young lad with the pretty face and cheekbones!

Oh dear. Poor soul. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-49592200 She should think herself very lucky she didn't attend the same school as myself where, incidentally, I spent my first full day 50 years ago today.

I'm told that many people have tattoos instead of self-harming. Disturbing,indeed.

We missed out there, nonna!

Happy belated birthday, Lizzie! Hope you pushed the boat out!

Indeed, Katyjay. Short memories, some people. Think we ought to bring back rationing. Too many overweight people around,

I'll be there on Tuesday. Taking a friend for day case hernia repair!

Knocking em dead in Sutton now, eh Ben?

I don't have a brother Beekay, but would have liked one. Maybe I'll adopt you!

You're not old enough to be my dad, Beekay! That's something to be thankful for young un! Enjoy your anniversary!

Ben is easy to find, yet again. Didn't even have to look for the name.

Yes I spotted our Ben and then looked him up on ancestry. Found his younger brother, his parents' marriage and Ben's first foray into matrimony all whilst devouring my toast, yoghurt and coffee on a tray in bed this morning before setting off for work. Know all about ya now Ben!! Your paternal great great great great grandad's name was Granville!

Back row, 4th from left. Those cheekbones look familiar!