philmayfield

We moved here the summer I finished in the 6th. form so the opportunity never arose. I then started my accountancy training in Nottingham so I had a long walk to and from the railway station until I had a car about a year later. I did drive past C le W every day then long before Colwick bypass was built. As for being shy with girls, we had been amongst them since we were five. We were glad to get away!

I believe he was. Wasn’t he involved in some sort of ‘knife incident’ at Arno Vale? I remember Julian Packer but I think he was in the year below and didn’t Jeremy Gisborne go there?

I think at the time the majority of the boys at Arno Vale who passed the 11+ chose Mellish or Becket if Catholic. I can’t name any that went to C le W. I suppose the only other option for the girls was Brincliffe or West Bridgford. There was the other option of the High Schools, although you had to be outstanding to get a scholarship or pass the entrance exam and have parents who could afford the fees.

Perhaps he went for a senior position with more money. I had the option of C le W as it had just opened but I preferred a school that had a modicum of tradition. I also knew people who were already there. Also, as I lived on Park Rd. in Woodthorpe it was a very short walk to Daybrook station for the 4 minute train ride. It was longer to walk at each end than the train journey took.

Ike Stamper used to teach at Mellish but left before I started. He used to be in charge of rowing and I saw him a few times at the Brit club on Saturday mornings when we were training.

You’ve only physically got room for so much liquid. If I fill the car up to the top the pumps stops to save it from spilling. Do you you drink until it pours out of your mouth?

Current medical studies say you should only drink when you feel thirsty.

Surely for normal healthy people your body systems tell you when you’re thirsty. I think it’s just a way of showing others how trendy you think you are if you feel it necessary to overtly carry a water bottle.

Was there a ‘Royal Regiment of Prostitutes’ during the war? Were medals issued?

You’re sounding like the ‘late’ Plantfitt Fly. Do you do deliveries on your trike?

The hay, which was cut last week, has been rained on many times. I doubt it will be recoverable now. No doubt it will rot down an the grass will grow through eventually. I think more rain is forecast.

Hot weather foods are no longer required here, normal weather has returned. I must say its nice to get back under the duvet once more and have a steak and kidney pie - not under the duvet of course!.

Gert and Daisy’s brother was Jack Warner. ‘Evening all’ in Dixon of Dock Green. Looking back that was pretty pathetic. We did have to put up with some rubbish in those days. I don’t watch ‘Love Island’

All these old acts were venerated in their day, Elsie and Doris Waters, Gracie Fields et al but looking back they were all absolute rubbish. I suppose anything to cheer people up during the war years.

Not quite as daft as swimming in the Trent but when we were kids of about eleven our parents didn't seem to be worried about us hiring a boat at Trent Bridge and rowing up as far as Wilford power station. We never had any problem in borrowing a boat.

I had to swim two lengths of Northern Baths fully clothed when I joined the school rowing club. Those who know it will remember it was a very short pool!

There was a specific reason for the fatuous garden shed postings as Col has said. The idea was to get rid of a serial poster that was spoiling the site for so many. Sorry that you missed the point but welcome back anyway!

There was certainly one at each end of the prom but it’s so long ago I can’t remember what they were called even though I’ve been on both.

Cromwell Bishop is one of the more recent Stilton makers although they produce other cheeses. They are just down the road from Colton Basset and probably share similar fungal spores. The cheese was never made at Stilton but originally sold from there at the Blue Bell Inn on the old Great North Road. Stilton is in Cambridgeshire and the cheese can only be called Stilton if made in Notts, Leics or Derbyshire. They do make a Stilton style cheese at Stilton but complain because they can't legally call it Stilton Cheese.

‘Used to’ ? Is it too rich for your delicate constitution nowadays Barrie?

Not been for many, many years. I think it’s now a pub called ‘The Manor at Toton’. It did have a fine reputation in its day but it was way too far on the other side of the county for us to be regulars.

Ah Grange Farm! What was the name of the proprietor who used to entertain the diners with his whistling?

You see it’s ‘chacon a son gout’. I’m not overly keen on Gorgonzola and there are plenty of blue cheeses produced in this country which are the equal of Stilton, if you like that sort of thing. I once brought a cheese back from France and had to bury it in the garden because it smelt so foul! Cheese and wine parties used to be a rather pleasant institution which seem to have died out. I must see if I can resurrect it. I’ve been to some where people had to be carried from the village hall because of a surfeit of wine. Those were the days!

A book, ‘The History of Stilton Cheese’, is available on Amazon. Well worth the read for the cheese aficionados. I’ve wasted my whole life seeking the perfect Stilton and the perfect pork pie accompaniment.

Some people cook with it in steak. I find all cooked cheeses disgusting as they smell of vomit!