Bath Tec School

Spanish Inquisition

12/2/2009 9:08:31 AM
Good morning all
 
Sorry I haven't been in touch lately - sold my anorak!!!
 
Only joking, the real reason is I have been busy dealing with Spanish beaurocracy and officials. I have been Vice President of our Community and it's a long story but this week we have finally been declared legal and now have all the documents to prove it. No fault of ours I hasten to add, just caught up in a tangled web of corrupt builders, council officials and solicitors (allegedly!!). It has been 5 years since we signed for our house and paid in full so you can imagine the relief and deep joy here at the moment. We are only a small Community of 45 houses and all the owners have been co-operative and patient.
 
Threw away my anorak when the last steam train was scrapped and diesels became the norm!! Must admit like you all I have a soft spot for the steam engine, maybe because my father worked for BR for 48 years as fireman and driver. Oops, perhaps I should have kept that quiet.
 
The sun is shining and we have had a fantastic November with only one afternoon of rain all month. Looks like December is going the same way. That's why I am in Spain!!!!
 
Thank the Lord that Christmas here is very low key although every year a little more commercialism is creeping in. Easter is the big festival in Spain.
 
I'm sorry that I will not be able to make reunion, will be in UK for a few days but return to Spain on 24th. March after trip to India. I shall look forward to the photos, have the local press been notified?
 
When I had that anorak I used to go regualrly to Fry's club on a Saturday night for Country and Western concerts. Sorry Stu, it did take some courage to own up to that but I dabbled in most genres before realising it was blues and rock n' roll that did it for me!!!
 
Have a lovely day.
 
Steve
 
 

Comments

- 12/2/2009 12:13:53 PM
Hello Steve,
Glad your brush with the local authorities is over (for now at least !). I too have had my own "tale of woe" when it comes to communicating with the "faceless ones". It took me three years of "paper shuffling" to eventually have a meeting with a Inland Revenue Valuation Officer (whose name funnilty enough was also Williams).
 
The "face to face" meeting cured the problem we had with the redevelopment of where we previously lived in the village. ( A very long story ). I always now got straight for the "head honcho" in any dealings with authority. So, the blue anorak eventually bit the dust then?
 
Glad to see that (unlike a few ex-pats from our shores), you are now a fully paid up member, and a Vice President  .. (ken`s gonna love this ...), and you are now the one in charge of the "Whores asses"? .. (see Kemble discussion for details.)
 
Gotta go and check for visitor arrival .. catch you soon.    
- 12/2/2009 5:16:55 PM
It's OK Steve most of us have a skeleton or three in the cupboard, expressing a juvenile liking for C & W is perfectly acceptable, after all we all remember Dolly P's memorable attributes. To be honest I've found that as I've grown older my tastes have veered more towards C & W, but not the mainstream stuff, people like Townes van Zandt, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Tom Russell, Dave Alvin and Jeff Finlin spring to mind, along with Americana, i.e. Josh Ritter, The Gourds, Fleet Foxes, Sun Kil Moon, and Wilco, who have a country influence perhaps but are more rock orientated. Although a good Blues / Rock band still does the business as well.
 
Regards transport, like you I became disinterested in railways with the end of steam, I suppose it was also the connections, my brother fired on the GWR and my dad was a guard also on the GWR, and a cousin was a draughtsman in the Swindon factory.
 
As for the Spanish business do we have to call you Don Coffin as of now.
 
When do you leave for India, and what's your itinerary, I'd be interested to know about it when you return, It's a country I'd like to visit but Shirls not over keen, perhaps a suitable endorsement might convince her.
 
Speaking of endorsements I've got my final City and Guilds tomorrow, then with a bit of luck I'll be out on Monday morning packing heat, (hand held, printer and BAD attitude), although I've got to achieve 82.5% in one of the units, better get revising I suppose.
 
Stu
- 12/2/2009 7:00:01 PM
Hi Stu
 
Just a quick one to say best of luck with exam. Don't let the CBTS down!!!! Be in touch about India after you have sobered up following celebration!!!
 
Cheers
 
The Don
- 12/2/2009 10:46:23 PM

That was very good Bill, but I will keep my mind above the navel.  Is that the orange or belly button spelling? Nothing exciting happening on this side of the world.  Talking of navels (Oranges) and Dolly Parton, I reckon we should be talking more of watermelons.  Changing the climate, climate change is certainly a big topic and been at the forefront of our politics. We have just had the hottest November on record in most places.  Noting that the records are about the same age as Weymouth House.    Christmas is big over here and it is funny but a lot still have the traditional hot roast dinner even when the temps are in the mid to late 30's C at this time of year.   On to something technical cause I know you guys love this.  I have been thinking of getting a solar hot water system, but cannot get the wife to agree.  My last big expense some years back was a reverse cycle air-conditioning unit. It is great in summer, but in winter where it can get to -7C (warms up quickly from that) the unit freezes up and is pretty useless for heating. The other big go here are solar systems where you get 3.5 times the current rate of electricity costs reimbursed for all power one can generate and return to the Grid.    And while on all things technical Bill, do you still have the water pumps in Timsbury?  I always remember visiting my uncle who lived in Timsbury and that the water pump was out in the back yard.  Ken  

- 12/2/2009 11:28:23 PM
Hi Stu and all.
First of all, I'm sorry that I've not been on of late, but been having trouble with the old internet connection, thankfully all is OK now!
Good luck with your exam tomorrow Stu, although I'm sure you'll breeze through it. Don't forget to have one for me at the celebrations after. Can't wait to hear of your exploits when 'packin' heat' respec' man!
Although I've been a life long railway enthusiast, like you all the shine went out of it with the demise of steam. I was never fortunate enough to have relatives working for the railways, like you guys. Nearly all my relations worked at the Westinghouse at Chippenham.
When I was very young my best mates dad worked for the railway, but he was a lorry driver!
The better half's family were the railway people. Her grandfather was a station master, just after the war her father worked for Wymans the newsagents and spent most of his time on stations, and his brother was a driver based at Yeovil Town shed. His regular rosta was Westbury, Weymouth, but in latter years of steam he had to learn the Southern road, Exeter, Salisbury. His most favoured locos were the GW 2800s, he had a lot of respect for them, said one in good condition could handle most things. Slow and steady, but you knew you were going to get there no matter what you had on the back.
Delighted to know that the ingenuity of a BTS training was more than a match for Spanish officialdom in the end, more strength to your arm, Steve. Seems to have worked for Bill as well with their British counter parts. Have to keep up the battle with officialdom at all costs, that's what being past retiring is all about, being a pain in the ass to the establishment. I'm gonna have a go at Severn Trent Water as soon as I have a few minutes to spare!
Have to go now.
Good luck guys.
Sticky.   
- 12/3/2009 8:21:06 AM
If you want to read about life on the GWR, John, the best accounts I've read were in books titled "Firing Days" and "Footplate Days" by Harold Gasson. They're probably out of print now but if ever you come across a copy of the first one in particular it brings back all the old nostalgia of steam on the GWR.
- 12/3/2009 11:33:43 AM
Hello all,
Ken, the water pumps are still there, but purely ornamental now. There is one in Bakers Parade outside one of the old houses there (built 1704). My old house (the one I developed) had its` own stone tanks, (brick lined and tiles 2" thick tiles about a foot square, It holds about 600+ gallons). It`s under one of the staircases now, in the smaller cottage. I guess my wierd humour stems from the fact that 3 of my teenage years involved being in leg irons or plaster on crutches, so "leg overs" were few and far between for a while. I did however make up for lost time, hence the pre-occupation with humour of the dubious kind .. Ha Ha 
 
Stu, just add my wishes for the city & guilds exam. Shall I give you my registration numbers now to avaid any conflicts if I should vivit your areas of work. Would a "Stickler free zone" sticker on the windows hold any sway with your colleagues?
 
John, David and all into steam. I had a friend called Leslie Price, he used to live in the pre-fabs in Hillside Road, Bath .. (right alongside the S & D line as it left the Claverton Tunnel). His dad Tony was a driver and we were always invited to the sheds in Green Park to nose around and collect souveniers from the locos ready for scrapping. I never got on the footplate for a ride on any, but Leslie used to go all over the place with his Dad on them.
 
I gave up train spotting, so did Johnny Reed from my class, when the books had more numbers than names. If you know what I mean.
 
Well, the Sun ..yes, Sun beckons me .. time to get the bike out .. see you guys later.
 
- 12/3/2009 4:48:25 PM
Many thanks for all the positive words guys, just to let you know that a pass was achieved, although I'm afraid I let the side down a little, managed to score 100% in five of the units, but only 93.5% & 87% in the other two.
 
As for the passing on of vehicle registrations for potential favourable treatment, I can only say that I will treat everyone the same, i.e. a bit like Genghis Khan and the Golden Horde's progress across Central Asia.
 
Got to go now, I've got a hangover to work on.
 
Stu
 
- 12/4/2009 2:48:34 AM
Hi guys.
First of all, congratulations on your exam results, Stu, and hope the hang over is better now!
Thanks for the tip on railway reading, David, I will keep my eye open for them. Worth a read also are 'Tales of the old railwaymen' and its sequal 'More tales of the old railwaymen' by Tom Quinn, also 'Signalman's morning' by Adrian Vaughan. Smilarly they are probably out of print, but worth looking for.
Your account of the sense of humour and your theories about it are very interesting Bill, not sure what Freud would make of it though! People accuse me of having a strange sense of humour also, occasionally I will engage a conversation with a double entendre, everyone laughs, but then I react as though I don't understand why they are all laughing and observe their reactions which I then find amusing. Difficult to describe the scenario, really, but that's the best I can do! Our middle aged secretary at work has led a rather sheltered life and is a regular 'Victim', much to the amusement of others present. Engineers are awful!!!!!!
Gettng late now.
Have fun, all.
Sticky.
- 12/4/2009 7:55:50 AM
Just a quickie, head's thumping a bit too much for any deep thought, but for those out of print books, try e-books, if available you can usually download for free.
 
Stu
- 12/4/2009 10:27:52 PM
Hi all.
Thanks for the tip Stu, will try it out later. Guess the head is a bit better now judging by your activity on the Pub Pals subject!
Have to go now, more catching up to do.
Sticky.
- 12/5/2009 1:11:16 AM
Glad you still have the water pumps at Timsbury Bill, even if they are just ornamental.  My trips to my uncle in Timsbury were few and far between but always good fun.  It usually meant a lift home in a motorbike sidecar.  My cousin had some sort of motorbike with a sidecar and he would take my dad and me back to Weston, Bath in same.
On a new subject and one most of us should be authorities on.  Just reading a report in our local newspaper which was taken from your Independent Newspaper has the sub editor title 'Single-Sex schooling lingers in men's lives'   The story starts off with ' Boys brought up in single-sex schooling environment would find relations ships with girls difficult to handle. Now research proves it and on it goes.   Some survey by Prof Diana Leonard from London Uni.  One quote is ' All research shows single sex schools are good for girls but bad for boys - both in terms of academic performance and socialisation.  Any comments or are we CBTS boys all freaks. Ken
 
- 12/5/2009 11:28:13 AM
I've been reading those reports, Ken. I suppose the people who did the research looked at a wide range of modern schools whereas I can comment only on personal experience. Also, my experience does go back many years and may be irrelevant to today. I left Bath Tech at age 15 and went to a mixed sex High School in Dunfermline. Academically, the high school was way behind Bath Tech which greatly surprised me and my parents as 'Old Nick' told them it would be a big step up for me. Discipline in the high school was almost non existent at times, despite all the teachers carrying leather straps and using them almost non stop. Compare that with the Tech's policy of the cane being adminsitered only be Bill Hayman or Old Nick. Makes you wonder. Did the boys play up  in class just to get attention from the girls? Debatable. Did we suffer in our sexual relationships from going to an all-boys school? Well, I reckon that's something we each have to decide for ourselves but I can't really say it did me any harm. Purely social interactions with girls were always there outside of school and, to be honest, that's were I kept them, even when at the mixed school. Academically, in the high school classroom one's attention did tend to wander at times from the blackboard to the shapely bits of the girl sitting at the desk in front. Having a girl you fancied sitting beside you in class was an even worse distraction. Maybe that's why I got a low score in Biology exams.
- 12/5/2009 2:05:54 PM
Hello all,
Well reading these comments only confirms what I had discovered. The lack of exposure to females during my education process was the foundation for the pre-occupation in later life.
 
I am still recovering from this lack of exposure .. the mind is willing, very willling ... but ...
- 12/5/2009 2:22:34 PM
Writing that comment brought back memories of that lovely Welsh girl who used to sit next to me in biology classes. Beautiful voice and ... oh dear, I must go and lie down before I come over all faint ... You younger guys had the pleasure of being taught by Mrs Williams, of course, but it's not the same as having a young female sitting next to you. 
- 12/5/2009 3:05:50 PM
During the summer these pages were awash with memories of buses and trains bursting with pulcritude wrapped in numerous uniforms providing more than an unequal diversion from the homework calcs set by Dicky Harbour on springs, pulleys and inclined planes,  the revision given by Mr Alder on the Midland Triangle (remember those neatly drawn chalk maps with motorcycle/car manufacturing taking place across the whole WM?) and the mind-numbing clause analysis in Ridout 4 set by Spider Webb. 

No, guys I think we had it just about right.  Plenty of testosterone fueled interest and God (as well as bus drivers and train guards) willing the opportunity to pursue them as time and fellow travellers would allow.  

I am now ashamed to admit that one of the determining factors in our choice of education for our two daughters was the thought of exposing them to the unpeakably vile behaviour of pubescent boys - hence the but-clenching cost of independent education and our extreme poverty.  However they still discovered boys and seem none the worse for that.  Perhaps we should have left nature to take its course and I certainly wouldn't now be moaning about a £409 vet bill for one our moggies who got himself jaundiced last week....hey ho its only money.

Mike
- 12/5/2009 3:40:03 PM
Hello,
After all that .. wow ! . I thoght I had it hard !!! .. occasionally it was ..

 

The pets .. they`re just like children  .. worth every penny..

- 12/5/2009 5:26:52 PM
I think the main problem with unisex edn. ( despite having been at coed primary and 2 years at a rough secmod...where some of the girls were very scary... and having a sister....umm...that sounds BAD....) was the tendency to idealise the female species. The result was that the discovery that they had NATURAL FUNCTIONS too was a bit of a SHOCK. And still is! Bit like poor old Ruskin seeing pubic hair on his wedding night and preventing consumation.
 
The worst thing a woman I really fancied once said to me was " I like you, Chris.  I feel really safe alone with you". AAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
 
Still, as Bill implies age helps. Do you find yourself staring at women and then wondering why? All helps to stick to more fulfilling matters. although I suppose we shall all be like old Betjeman sitting in his wheelchair and answering the question " any regrets?".........."not enough sex " he replied.  Oh hum!
 
Still I've got Parrotty who is very keen on me AND NOT for my mind
- 12/5/2009 5:32:09 PM
I'm seriously worried about you Wiltshire.
 
Stu
- 12/5/2009 6:29:21 PM
Methinks time for trains and steam driven tractors!!!!!!
 
Steve
- 12/5/2009 7:49:14 PM
Here, here Steve,
All this talk about Birds ... you`ll have me falling off my perch here soon ...
 
Mind you, like all things on the edge  ... good while it lasted !! ................  Carole, be a dear  .. put the Horlicks on ..
- 12/5/2009 11:09:20 PM
Well Bill! talking of falling off perches.
 
There was this long distance lorry driver who was concerned that his wife was getting lonely during his frequent trips away.
 
So. He thinks a pet might be a bit of company. So he goes to the pet shop and asks for suggestions from the dealer.
 
In the end they agree that a parrot would be good but the dealer says he's fresh out of parrots.
 
Then. The lorry driver notices a big cage in a back room which seems to have a parrot in it.
 
So. He points this out to the dealer who says yes it's a parrot and a very good talker indeed but they can't sell him 'cos he's disabled.
 
the driver says he can't see anything wrong. he's sitting very nicely on his perch and chatting away beautifully.
 
Well. says the dealer he hides his problem very well. Actually he's got no legs.
 
So how does he hold on says the driver.
 
Well. Says the cdealer I told you he's clever. Being a gentleman parrot he's learned a clever trick. Have a look underneath.
 
Good Lord!!!!! says driver. Nevertheless I will take him and he  delivers him to his wife who's reasonably pleased.
 
Anyway. A week later he comes home from a delivery and asks the parrot how things have been in his absence.
 
The parrot says very good, he likes it here. The only thing was that the wife brought the milk man in here.
 
What happened next asks driver.
 
They took off their clothes and lay down on the sofa.
 
Then what happened shouts driver
 
Don't know........I fell off me perch!!!!
- 12/6/2009 1:16:00 AM
Hi guys.
First of all, you've just about destroyed my credibility as a miserable old fart! After reading the latest collection of postings I've had a permanent smile. You really must stop it! (Not really).
Know what you all mean about co-ed schools and can understand fully your private education decision, Mike, but it does somehow work the other way around.
We were never in the financial position to even consider any alternative to State co-ed for our four offspring, and I feel the school was not a particularly good one. They all came out of it with practically no qualifications. After they left however, they all seemed to discover they had a brain. Eldest son followed father and is now a decent press technician, much respected by customers (He works for Maplan Machinery UK. The parent company is Austrian) Daughter works with animals at the Blue Cross but is in her final year of a part time uni course for her degree in animal psychology. The two youngest, twins, both boys but not identical are both plant mechanics for different companys, one of them attended Hartpury College after leaving school and has a national diploma in farm mechanisation, he is now seriously considering returning to uni, his object being to qualify to degree level in ag engineering (Yes there is such a thing).
From this I think we can conclude that the co-ed education did not do them much harm, but not a lot of good either. As for socialising with the opposite gender, I really don't think it made a lot of difference. Pubescent teenage boys are going to be randy little beggars what ever their environment. The only difference is that in our day it was the Convent or the Art School that we were sniffing around. I can still understand the dilemma if you had to sit next to some particularly attractive member of the opposite sex. Does something to the concentration!
Can sympathise with the vets bill scenario as well, we have four moggies. I agree with Bill that they become like children and the expense does not really enter into the equation. In some ways they are preferable to children as they don't answer back. On t'other hand the kids dont jump on your back when you are walking up the garden path in the dark!
Rambling on again!
Bi for now.
Sticky. 
- 12/6/2009 9:15:33 AM
Morning All, I'm tempted to keep mum, but unable to help myself, "the sun's out", there that's done it raining by 10 o'clock.
Been following the debate about co-ed schools, would having girls in the class have affected me? I don't know, I was away with the fairies most of the time anyway, either that or asleep, but I did take a passing interest in the top shelf of the newsagents where I did my paper round, so couldn't have been totally unaware or disinterested. As I remember John it was the City of Bath Girls and Convent inmates who attracted my attention, although once I left school it was the girls who had gone to West Twerton or the Diocesan who I gravitated towards, they were more likely to "you know", not that it did me any good.
It's difficult to quantify just what effect school has on the individual anyway, we all develope at different rates. I passed my 11-plus and was accepted into the Tec without an interview, once there I regressed, didn't appear to learn a thing and ultimately couldn't wait to leave, needless to say with very little academic qualification. It's now in later life that I realise that I did recieve a very good education, I may not have achieved much there, but the basics were imprinted. Does this mean that it's the quality of the school rather than the splitting of the sexes that's important, there were after all very few single sex schools in Bath, and more importantly we grew up in very different times, even from those of our children. Anyway I've fed the cat and am off out before it rains.
 
Stu 
- 12/6/2009 9:21:03 AM
Morning
 
 
I always think that it is best not to pull Christmas crackers until the big day!!!
 
It is a another beautiful day here with wall to wall sunshine, a little chilly at the moment but it will soon warm up to around 22C.
 
I shall be doing an after dinner speech in Feb 2010 and if anybody has any funny or topical jokes they will be most welcome. It has been a bit quiet from Rich, I guess he is trying to sort out the problems down the Rec' and how they are going to fill a 20000 seater stadium!!! From 1980 to approx 1995 I watched virtually every home and away game and it is very sad to see and read what is happening to a great club. I have many happy memories following Bath and those cup-finals. I expect it will all come good in the end.
 
Must go now and enjoy the sunshine.
 
Cheers
 
Steve
- 12/6/2009 11:53:32 AM
Morning (just) from Timsbury,
We too have "wall to wall" sun, since about 9.00 a.m. One thing we do not have with it is the temperature !. The little low lying yellow blob, (that passes for sun at this Latitude), is doing it`s best though. My dearly beloved has gone off to partake in her share of "retail therapy" in Bristol. A commodity which women seem to require in abundance at this time of year. Still, the V.A.T. increase will have a motivating effect to reduce the accounts` balances. ( a proper use of the plural possesion apostrohy, for those writers out there Ha Ha !).
 
As an  aside, (joking or otherwise). This talk of the "other gender" has sparked interest, (for the first time), in my other half to take a look over my shoulder occasionally. Can we please get back to either Parrots (paraplegic or other wise), or Christmas crackers please?... best regards ... P.S. sun is still "a shinin`" ..... how is it for you?
- 12/6/2009 3:53:26 PM
Parrotty has asked me to point out to Willum that the parrot was not paraplegic....just negatively predjudiced  in the leg department.
 
AND Stu don't worry about me. (I've never wanted to be a burden or trouble to anyone". Anyway there's a whole profession called
 " Animal Husbandry" isn't there!
 
The SUN cameth out here after heavy rain but now the night draws in with all it's attendant horrors.
 
Mrs W did look over my shoulder at all this but made no comment  which was much more frightening!
 
Yes, what is it with the female need to spend money on all the pointless things at christmas. She has been on to me for 2 bloody days about  travel luggage for no 1 son so he can carry his laptop survival system. I've already said "yes" to everything she has shown me on the internet ( often without even looking) but still she wants me to see more examples and give my opinion. I don't even know if the ungrateful fruit of my loins wants a luggage.
 
Bugger Xmas and all of it!
- 12/6/2009 6:13:22 PM
Christmas? I'm with Scrooge on that one. Having been dragged to Bristol last saturday, I had to endure Exeter yesterday along with a rapidly diminishing wallet, it's no good saying that I should have sent her off on her own, she'd only get lost and the thought of her spending whilst I'm sat at home chewing the remains of my fingernails is just too much to bear. And as for pulling a Christmas Cracker I've no chance, my Mrs would have my cojones (can't spell that, nuts will have to do), if I tried.
Actually Chris I'm beginning to think that the best course of action is to plead insanity, years of moaning about christmas has only got me the reputation of being a miserable git, perfect psychological profile for my job really.
 
Stu
- 12/6/2009 10:55:04 PM
Stu,
Take heart.  Miserable old git, Scrooge and Mistletoe Dodger are only three of the printable soubriquet that have been attached to me over the Christmas Season by colleagues at school - the ones from my nearest and dearest, verge on the "not very nice".

Last w/e I was building an upper respiratory tract infection  (diagnosed on Monday as pneumonia). Instead of a comfy seat in front of the box watching some pretty dismal rugby and sipping a neat Arberlour I was dagged kicking and screaming to the new Southgate Shopping Centre.  What......????!!!!!??

We dodged gawping hoards of our Celtic bretherin in the Abbey Yard,  that damned roundabout outside the Romans Baths,  told by the oik in Waterstones Costa that they were closing for coffee because they couldn't staff  the business and all the while my BP and temperature soared.  We bought nothing (apart from a book or two in that civilised oasis of Mr. B's) and left having payed Bath City Council a fortunue for covering its Charlotte Street Car Park tarmac for 2.5 hours. 

What is it about this time of year that make so many of our fellow human beings detach themself from the realities and practicalities of human existence and thus perpetuate this annual and bank busting ritual?

Ba and humbug,

Mike




- 12/7/2009 7:54:05 AM
Going back to talk of the opposite gender (and why not?) do any of you older guys remember that newsagents shop almost opposite the Modeller's Den where they displayed copies of Harrison Marks Kamera magazine depicting females sans clothes? Vital parts of their anatomy was painted out in those days leaving some boys with the impression that human reproduction was physically impossible. Was that where we learned the general theory of what the other gender really looked like, prior to practical training? As I recall, first year boys would have their noses pressed against the Modeller's Den window while later years stood at the window of the newsagents opposite, doing essential studies.
- 12/7/2009 8:22:53 AM
David,

You clearly enjoyed the benefits of a WH education.  

Us 1960 types were whisked away by bus from such dens of iniquity directly to the S&H's canteen stop. However you are absolutely right....my anat and phys became horribly confused as a result of viewing/leering at the contents of my cousin's s/h coppies of Spic, Span and Health & Efficiency.  What we "had" and girls, seeming did not have; made me almost embrace the notion that the immaculate conception was a literal probability.   What impact that shift in personal Christian doctrine would have had on my future life, goodness only knows.  Funny to think that a few airbrushed bits in pin-up mags may have led to an increase in those appying for Catholic seminaries.

Hey ho,

Mike
- 12/7/2009 9:17:27 AM
It is my wyffes 41st wedding anniversary today.
 
She is celebrating by taking me christmas shopping.
 
Goody gumdrops
 
Wish me well if you can be bothered
 
Wylltte
- 12/7/2009 9:35:13 AM
Chris,

If it's your wife's anniversary - logic dictates that it's yours as well - or does that not follow?  Anyway- congratulations.

You got whisked off your little trotters early - was it med school that did it?   I delayed matters until I was 29 (any longer and I think my in-laws would have had something serious to say)

Mike


- 12/7/2009 11:49:35 AM
Chris, your surname rings a bell but we were clearly in different years at Bath Tech. Were you related to a scout in the 52nd Bath Monksdale scout troop? I met a guy called Wiltshire there. I think he was Michael Wiltshire, but my memory isn't what it used to be and it was fifty years ago. Or did you have a brother or cousin at Newbridge Junior School? I vaguely recall the name Wiltshire from there. Or am I thinking of Harry Wiltshire, the railway signalman at Midford station? Didn't know him but I've read about him in railway books.
- 12/7/2009 2:11:45 PM
O.M.G. David,
Monksdale road, got run down outside the old Scout Hut (by the electricity sub station, opposite the Sandpits park) when I was 8 years old.  Was playing on the Old Oak Tree next to the hut, saw a friend in the park, ran straight across the road. Frightened the life out of the Morris 7 cwt van driver. I was non-plussed about it all, just bounced off the bonnet and straightened up my shorts, wen t on my way (after a suitably long ticking off)    .. ha ha .
 
I used to live in Third Avenue, down the road from the Scout Hut. If you went under the S & D railway bridge, turned right in front of the (Clarks?) Shoe pattern and prototype factory, then took the first left past the Moorfields Inn (Georges group public house).  I Joined scouts, "woggles & dib dib dib" were too much for me. left the very same day.  Back over the road and train spotting for me   ... very close call !!. 

 

Please note, we are now very close to being back on Trains again ...

- 12/7/2009 4:02:28 PM
3.30pm  Just back from the shopping. almost lost it in Debenhams but was very grown up for once and kept (mostly) Stumm.
Earned some brownie points.
 
Pleasant anniversary meal with Mrs W despite office parties going on around.
 
David, No  not related to any Wiltshire's in Bath. Very local to Keynsham since late 18thC , although some evidence that "we originated from Bath Wiltshires".
- 12/7/2009 4:02:29 PM
Hi Bil
 
Before we get to trains again. What about the Reveille (?) and Tit-Bits? Both a sex education aid to a young teenager.
 
Cheers
 
Steve
 
Sun still shining, very warm.
- 12/7/2009 4:33:27 PM
Hello Steve,
Why do you think I went back to Train spotting near the sandpits park? .. I was very much into "hands on" with girls there .. and two hobbies in one place .. lovely days. It`s a wonder there aren`t more "little Williams`s" about than there are. Ha Ha.  Schhhhhh .... you never know who`s listening on here.
 
Glad the sun is shining still, guess you made a good choice Steve. I`m stuck here until Carole`s Mum dies, she won`t move away from her.   (Doris is 84 years young, still digs her large garden, and still out-paces her 38 year old Grandson when out walking.)
 
Rest of the family, (Grandaughters included) are learning Spanish. In-laws are always going over there in the motorhome now (fluent Spanish). Just me and the other half still on the Quayside at Dover !! (very much non Spanish, in the lingo)   We`ll see what happens, keep a look out for "travellers" and their "Sheds on Wheels". Play safe, lock the doors and pull down the shades! ..
 
See ya ...   
- 12/7/2009 5:34:32 PM
Hi Chris with reference to your mention of the Wiltshires in Bath, my great grandmother was a Wiltshire from Widcombe on my Mums side so if we dug hard enough we could probably find a link.
Spent Saturday putting up a new ariel for the TV on the gable end of the house as the old one is getting on now and there was too much of a cable run to get a good digital signal and did I know it on Sunday.
 I had a job to walk with all the aches and pains in the back of my legs, I must be getting out of shape or to old to be clambering up ladders with drills and such but its still nice to do these jobs for yourself, anyone got any DIY disasters to tell or is it a case of get someone in and bugger the cost?
- 12/7/2009 5:40:59 PM
Now you've got me reminiscing Steve, forget the trains, how about Health and Efficiency, mind you I can't for the life of me see where the "Efficiency" bit fitted in, and then there was Parade, I swear the newsagent I did a paper round for was a bit, (lot), of a perv, he always had a wealth of "Mags"  around the back of the shop, funny how few of them made it to the shelves. Now we're back to the single sex schools again aren't we, and there was no sex education either, would make you wonder how we managed wouldn't it if you hadn't heard of basic instincts.
 
Stu
- 12/7/2009 7:55:13 PM
Hi Stu and all
 
I found, and stll do, anything to do with the opposite sex more interesting than trains, boats and planes!!!! Do you remember "Reader's Wifes"?!!!!!!
 
Where's the vino?
 
Cheers
 
Steve
- 12/7/2009 8:36:18 PM
I totally agree with you Steve, not that I'm admitting to anything, of course as I get older music takes up a bit more of my time, and as for the vino, I'm afraid I've drunk it!
 
Stu
- 12/7/2009 9:01:46 PM
Hello Lads,
Well, no sex education then? ... Remember Biology, Mr. King .. I can remember this little ditty (or was it titty?) he wrote on the blackboard for all to recite. Males = '' Many Minute & Motile ... Females =  Few Fat & Fixed. I hope he was referring to eggs here, women are not Few, a lot of then ARE Fat. but none .. I repeat NONE can be Fixed ! . Unless you know different of course .. ha ah.
 
Spermatazoa ? .. (big word for a monday night) there were loads more we SHOULD have learnt, but hey .. what good`s the theory without the practical?  As for Asexual reproduction, aemoba, snails and other things, bits like  like Stamens and Stigma, that only plants seemed to have ! . Well, I don`t consider it a stigma to have missed out some of the higher interlectual subjects in 4P.
 
Well, jokes and stories on toilet doors aside, I think most boys got by .. well, tea is here again, courtesy my singular, slim and broken other half .. excuse me while I slurp .. cheers. 
- 12/7/2009 9:40:29 PM
Francis, I seem to remember the Monksdale scout hut was two wooden huts joined in a tee shape. I must have been in first year at Bath Tech when I started trundling along there on Friday evenings. Yes, I remember the park and sandpits opposite. The other attraction in that area was the Scala cinema and its Saturday morning kids shows. Had to get a bus from Whiteway to Oldfield Park, but bus services were cheap and reliable in those days. Nowadays I use an OAPs bus pass.
- 12/8/2009 2:13:39 AM
Hi Guys.
Do it yourself is it, Anth?
Sorry I've not contributed (Maybe that word should not be taken too literally) of late, but been busy laying a new floor in the dining room and trying to meet a deadline for the club newsletter at the same time! Had her indoors' sister, complete with dog, up to stay for a week, taken her back to Yeovil today. The cats can relax now!
The one consolation is that they have been sharing the retail therapy all the week and I've been off the hook, but it wont last long, she's already planning next week!
Needless to say the floor is not finished yet and the whole house in turmoil, but it was a good excuse to get rid of six dining room chairs that have been the blight of my life for the past couple of years or more.
The paper shop opposite the Modeller's Den, David, do you mean the sweet / tobacconist / paper shop that was run by the funny little dwarfish woman that wore too much lipstick?
If that is the case, no, I don't understand a thing you are talking about!!!!!!!!!
Couldn't afford to buy books anyway, but found some under the river / road bridge between Green Park and Lower Bristol Rd.
Having seen the photos we couldnt work out how women pee, thought perhaps thats why they seem to expand as they get older.
So much for teenage theories.
Have fun guys.
Sticky.
PS Thanks for the tip about lard and the effect on feet Stu, Still laughing!
- 12/8/2009 8:31:08 AM
Yep, you got the place, John. In those days it was illicit reading material. These days it's part of the school curriculum. 
- 12/8/2009 11:13:11 PM
Hi all.
It's nice to know that we are both singing from the same hymn sheet, David. Yes it's amazing what the passage of time does to peoples attitudes. When we were at school D H Lawrence was a definite 'behind the bike sheds' read, now its practically part of the school corriculum. When we recall our youth it's surprising that we learned anything about the opposite gender! Mind you, I'm still convinced that sex was invented in 1957, it came in with Teddy boys and Rock and Roll. All corrupting influences according to our parents generation, little did they know! 
Can't help but agree with you guys, the opposte sex was, and still is more interesting than things mechanical, but its also a lot more trouble and expensive! Think I'll stick to the trains, tractors, engines etc. at least they are fairly predictable and 'mostly harmless', to quote Douglas Adams.
Its getting late, have to go now.
Have fun.
Sticky.
- 12/9/2009 5:48:05 PM
Hello all,
I`m glad that mention of hymn sheets has occurred, Christmas is close upon us ... and singing? .. are you sure? .. Back to sex .. education .. lack of at School.
 
Steve has prompted me to cast my mind back to the early 60`s, and what was popular in the (banned or frowned upon) literature of the period. Apart for "Lady Chatterly`s Lover", there was the delightfully explicit "Kama Sutra", reprinted at the time.  Apparently first  published privately in Britain in 1883 (according to Wikipedia) .. see this link.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra
 
We did of course have our pin-ups, and sneak previews whilst stood under local river bridges .. and if anybody crept around the bandstand in Vistoria Park late at night .. there was always a floor show .. if you get what I mean .. food on table time, must dash.
 
 
- 12/9/2009 8:08:36 PM
Hi All,
 
Naughty reading eh!!!! I remember 2 books of the same period at school being "Fanny Hill" and "The Perfumed Garden" but the grey cells won't dig out any memories of any interesst. There was a newsagent in Moorland Road, at the Twerton end as it were, that used to sell "pin up" mags for 3/6p and if you were lucky and pooled together he'd sell you one. There was some lovely shots of Nancy Roberts, who was later a hostess with Hughie Green on ITV. Big girls she was too and as you lads have already  said all the nether regions were air brushed out.
 
Yes Stu, before you say anything it took smut to awaken Lanham!!!!! I have been reading with interest all the posts but at this time of year the retail trade is manic and our deliveries are taking longer, hence not much time.We won't mention the parking ticket I got in Stall Street last week either !!
 
Hope everone is well and not letting the "festive" season grind you down too much. HO!HO!HO!
 
Cheers,

Rich.
,
PS. DIY disasters, Tony, are my middle name, believe you me !!
- 12/9/2009 11:10:37 PM
Bill, how come that every time you get to the interesting bit your tea turns up, I think that I'm going to have to have a quiet word with Carole.
 
Rich can only say it was a damn good job I wasn't in Stall Street last week wasn't it. Book 'em Danno!
 
Stu
- 12/10/2009 8:58:13 AM
Morning
 
Sun still shining!!
Anybody remember what page in Lady Chatterley's Lover had the "dirty bits"? Now, that would be sad!!!!!!!
Know you are old when you can remember mags of a certain nature being on the top shelf. One reason, as Stu said, for being a paper boy.
 
Difficult to imagine the joy of being in mixed school but I do remember partaking in a school debate as to whether co-ed was than single sex education. Cannot remember the result but I am sure I campaigned for co-ed!!! I am bloody sure I would have learnt less than I did but would have an A level in Biology!
 
 
Happy days
 
Steve
- 12/10/2009 11:07:21 AM
Hi Steve, passed on your email to Stu, thanks for mine by the way, the weather today is great with the sun shining and a blue sky but I doubt that the temerature is anywhere near yours, still its nice to be able to get out and we are off to take my Mum out for lunch at Weston Super Mare, she looks foward to the trip out as she is now in her mid eighties and still going strong, hope everyone is OK and looking forward to Christmas.
Anth
- 12/10/2009 11:34:09 PM
Hi guys
Not been on of late, but had a show meeting Wed night and been to Meldreth nr Royston, Herts/ Cambs border to repair an injection moulding machine today, so a bit jaded!
Nice to know that your Mum is still enjoying her trips to Weston, Anth. I expect she still tries to offer 'Motherly' advice!
Nope, can't remember much about Lady Chatterly at all except it was something to do with daisy chains. Was it a florist instruction manual?
Had a copy of the 'Cama Sutra' but never knew what happened to it, 'Er indoors probably threw it out. Females never seem to be interested in text books! They are however very devoted to shopping especially this time of year. I agree with you guys, we spend far too much, mostly on things people don't want. What is the point? Bah humbug............
I think we should all just over indulge and forget about prizes.
Beddy bies calls.
Have fun.
Sticky.
- 12/11/2009 1:38:18 PM
Hello,
Another point (well two actually), that were often drooled over by us lads belonged to  a certain " Sabrina", now, she WAS a big Girl !. I can remember this ditty..... " I`d love to go a`wandering up Sabrinas vest, and climb the great big mountains, she has upon her chest .. volderi`,voldera.. with my napsack on my back".  Does that ring bells? (as it Christmas, nearly).
 
Well, just 6.5 days of work left to go for Carole (other, some say... better half). I am expecting even more cups of tea than normal in the workroom (my den). So, enjoy these moments of folly while you can, I may have to assume a more serious mode ...as if !!..ha ah.
 
Must get back onto Amazon now, more books to buy .. catch you all soon.
 
 
- 12/11/2009 1:42:00 PM
You're a very naughty boy Williams, and should give yourself a smack. Fancy expecting your wife to wait on you once she's retired.
- 12/14/2009 10:14:17 AM
Hi all
 
Thought I would add something to this thread as it now holds the record for most publications!!! It has ranged from tractors, trains, women (including Sabrina). I remember Sabrina and her fabulous attributes, also fell in love with Jayne Mansfield and the absolutely gorgeous Briggite Bardot.
 
Another question from the female that they already know the answer "How much have you had to drink?".  I am sure you must know some more.
 
Raining!!!
 
Cheers
 
Steve
- 12/14/2009 11:10:56 AM
All right, just one more then ...you know when you were first married and you couldn`t wait to get your new wife in bed ... she would create for herself a brand new headache,  or come up with  "I`m just going to watch the news, you go on and warm the bed up, I`ll be in soon". Those magical days ... gone for ever.
 
Well, the roles are now reversed in old age .. now  it`s her turn, "I`m off to bed, are you coming?" .. if you could ... you would, you know you would.  It really means "don`t let me catch you relaxing and enjoying yourself in the company of your mates, and you`ll go blind playing with that computer all night" ... so it`s really the same result again isn`t it? .. you know you would .. if you could ...
- 12/14/2009 11:14:33 AM
Steve, if you know how much you have had its not enough and by the time you have had too much you have lost track!!
- 12/14/2009 12:08:00 PM
Ullo my cockers. Just bin readin stories to tiny lovable grand daughter. Son & grandson miserably off to school and work....great being retd. in't it!
 
I didn't like to think about Jayne mansfield because her head got ripped off in a car crash and it rather ruined her potential as a source of assistance in the punishing percy dept. Any way Diana Dors was more natural or Bardot for the more skittish episodes..
I used to wonder if Miss Dors might marry me when I became of age..........justas well I missed out considering how she turned out. 
At least I've got parrotty who doesn't nag and just wants me for my body.
 
Right! Now got to phone round all the extended family of aged rellies and arrange a royal progress around keynsham Longwell Green and locale.
 
 
- 12/14/2009 4:38:21 PM
Post number 60, (truly a record on this site), and some good news Chris .. this will put your mind at rest .. and might even get yout pecker up a bit. If nothing else it will give you comfort about Jane Mansfied and the events surrounding her death in a car accident ... enjoy the movie guys.
 
http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/m/Mansfield/jayne_mansfield.htm
- 12/14/2009 6:46:13 PM
Bill, I can remember the time when we were told we'd go blind for playing with something other than computers.
 
Chris, you, being a man of enormous intellect probably already know this, but just to remind you Diana Dors was born Diana Fluck, (NO I haven't misspelt it), and she came from Swindon, as did Gilbert O Sullivan, the only saving grace for Swindon that I can see is the Great Western Railway, XTC, and of course myself, no don't laugh.
 
Anyway I'm off for another drink, that's two so far in case anyones counting.
 
Stu
- 12/14/2009 7:16:24 PM
Oh! Willumm bless ee
 
all these years I have lived with the image of the bloodied stump of Jaynes dear neck and her blessed head strwn about the highway.
 
Now I have the disconcerting images (in B/W) of her wrecked body and the fact she worwe a WIG which was stolen from the dashboard.
 
Somehow I can't see that this is going to do much for Mr Wilberforce and bring him out of a dishonerable retirement. Nor, Stu is the reminder of Miss Dors given name.
 
 
- 12/15/2009 7:34:23 PM
Well, Lads, this post is getting longer than my Mother in Law's tongue !!! I do remember Jayne Mansfield and Miss Fluck from Swindon (don't forget Justin Hayward Stu, for his sins)but I always had this thing about Kim Novak. I saw her in a film with Richard Johnston and after he kissed her, I hated him forever, the lucky sod !!!
 
 What's all this warm up the bed stuff then? By the time I've got mine warm it's time to get up !!! Am I right in thinking that the lovely Miss Mansfield had a 19" waist?
 
Rich ( Brrrrrr)