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The monthly newsletter for The Richmond Charities Almshouses
June 2022
Welcome to your Almshouse News The 1950s Wit & Wisdom
Upcoming Page Turners
Events
Celebrating the Jubilee Residents'
Fun & Games
& Reliving the '50s Memories of Poetry Corner
the 1950s
ALMSHOUSE NEWS
Contents Welcome to our New Resident:
News & Events We offer a warm welcome to our new
resident who has recently joined our
Welcome & Farewell 2 community: Robert Kitching.
Chapel Schedule 2 Chapel Schedule: June 2022
Letter from Mike 3
The 1950s 4-17 Sunday, 5th June 10.30am Eucharist
Pentecost
Regulars 5pm Evening Prayer
Recipe 17 Sunday, 12th June 10.30am Eucharist
The Most Holy Trinity with hymns
Upcoming Events 18-19
Past Events 20-22 Sunday, 19th June 10.30am Eucharist
Corpus Christi
On This Day 19,21 Sunday 5pm Evening Prayer
and Benediction
Wit & Wisdom 21
Sunday, 26th June 10.30am Eucharist
Local News 23 Second Sunday after with hymns
Trinity
The Autobiography Group 24
Sunday, 3rd July 4pm Thanksgiving
Page Turners 25 Service followed by
refreshments
Answers Page 26
Fun & Games 27 Competition Winners
Poetry Corner 28
Thank you to everyone who submitted
competition entries for May's anagram
Contribute to our Next Issue and wordsearch. Picked at random, the
winners this month are:
If you would like to contribute an article for the Gurdip Lota - Anagrams
next issue, the deadline is: Doreen Colbert - Wordsearch
Friday 17th June 2022 Congratulations!
Answers from last month's competitions
Give the article to your Scheme Manager, or are on page 26.
email to c.richards@richmondcharities.org.uk
As a guide on word count, a one page article Credits:
is ideally 340 words. Editorial Committee: Juliet Ames-Lewis,
Lorraine Bradley, Debbie Flaherty, Chantal
Richards & Mike Townsin.
This magazine is recyclable.
Design & Photography: Chantal Richards &
Nigel Barker.
2
ALMSHOUSE NEWS
Letter from Mike Townsin
Dear All
Casting an inquisitive eye
over the Birthdays Today
column in my copy of The
Times on May 5th, I came
across the following: “Teddie Beverley,
singer, the Beverley Sisters, I saw
Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (No 6 in the
singles chart in 1953),95”.
I don’t know if Queen Elizabeth, only a In a piece on the 1951 Festival of Britain
year older than Teddie, was aware of on page 14, we can see, among other
the Sisters’ achievement amid all the ancient photos, King George touring the
excitement of having recently become exhibition with his wife Queen Elizabeth;
the monarch, or even if, like my mum, just as the Festival was billed as a
she was a fan, certainly these were life “tonic for the nation” to raise the spirits
changing times for both young ladies. of a country still in the grip of austerity
Which brings us to the celebration of and rationing after World War 2, so
Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee marking her the opening of the Elizabeth Line, was
70th year on the throne since becoming recently headlined in The Times as ….”
Queen on 6th February 1952, the only a bold declaration of optimism and civic
British Monarch to achieve this. endeavour”, which the Queen recently
attended, just as her father did seventy
To humbly mark the occasion, we are years ago.
dedicating this month’s edition of the
magazine to all things ‘50s, as well as “Plus ca change plus c’est la meme
our 1950s themed Platinum Jubilee party chose”….
on 1st June. Enjoy the Jubilee weekend!
The Beverley Sisters were pretty “square”
– the opposite of “with it”, to use two
bits of 50s teenagers’ slang – compared
to the artists evoked in Gerry Wilson’s
1950s Rock n’ Roll hall of fame on page
16, just one of the retrospectives from
that decade that we commissioned.
3
ALMSHOUSE NEWS - The 1950s
Residents' memories of the 1950s
by Melanie by Doreen Colbert
Stapelkamp
"I remember rationing
"In July 1953 the and how lucky our
Queen Mother and family was because
the Princesses my dad had the best
Elizabeth and allotments in the area
Margaret arrived for so our family always ate
a tour of Southern well. I do remember though stealing a
Rhodesia. I was three and still can nice mouthful of cheese from the local
remember standing with my mum and shop and eating it because cheese was
my sister waving our Union Jack flags rationed!"
at the procession which came right past by Margaret Payler
our block of flats in Bulawayo.
"On the day of The Coronation I was
They also visited The Leopard Rock working as a nurse at Kingston Hospital
hotel which is where my mum and dad and was able to watch this memorable
had their honeymoon. event on the TV screen on the ward".
In 1947, before Michael Hobbs
I was born, the What games and toys did you have in
two Princesses the 50s?
visited the
Victoria falls (one "Board games, cowboys and indian
of the Seven outfit and table top blow football"
Natural Wonders Vivienne Perkins
of the World) and travelled on a steam
Where did you go on holiday?
train which is still running today and
I see regularly when I visit one of my "Stayed with family all around
sons who lives nearby in the Hwange the country"
National Park". Maureen Tidman
Your favourite music of the 50s?
"Elvis ….loved him and his voice"
Jackie Wheaton
Did you have a TV/radio?
"Yes, we had both"
4
The 1950s - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
from Alf & Beryl Read We Are Survivors
"We watched the Submitted by
Coronation on the TV Lena Warboys
in my family home. We (For those born before
were the only ones 1940...)
to have a television We were born before television, before
so everyone in the penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods,
street gathered outside our house and Xerox, contact lenses, videos and
watched it through the window!" the pill. We were before radar, credit
by Joy Sayles cards, split atoms, laser beams and
"I was married on ballpoint pens, before dishwashers,
September 16th 1950 tumble dryers, electric blankets, air
at Rochester Baptist conditioners, drip-dry clothes... And
Church which is in before man walked on the moon.
Crow Lane, quite We got married first and then lived
near the house which together (how quaint can you be?).
Charles Dickens chose We thought fast food was what you ate
as Satis House in Great Expectations. in Lent, a 'Big Mac' was an oversized
My husband and I went on honeymoon rain coat and 'crumpet' we had for tea.
to a little village in North Devon called We existed before house husbands,
Monkleigh. I had spent a very happy computer dating and sheltered
time during the war on a farm as an accommodation was were you waited
evacuee, from 1940 – 1942! for a bus.
On our return Ken and I lived in We were before day care centres,
Reading where I was employed as an group homes and disposable
Almona Clerk at the Royal Berkshire nappies. We never heard of FM radio,
Hospital. The NHS was fairly new tape decks, artificial hearts, word
and as time went on more and more processors, or young men wearing
patients were being referred for various earrings. For us "time sharing" meant
surgical items so I became the Surgical togetherness, a "chip" was a piece of
Appliance Clerk until I left in September fried potato, "hard wear" meant nuts
1958 to await the birth of our first and bolts, and "software" wasn't a
daughter. word.
We moved to Richmond in August 1959 We who were born before 1940 must
when Ken became Head Groundsman be a hardy bunch when you think of the
at Old Deer Park in Kew Road. We way in which the world has changed
lived with our daughters next to Kew and the adjustments we have had to
Gardens until we moved in 1990 to make. No wonder there is a generation
Michel’s Almshouses". gap today... But by the grace of God...
We have survived!
5
ALMSHOUSE NEWS - The 1950s
The Coronation After a period of mourning on 2nd June,
1953, the day of the Coronation, Princess
Elizabeth and Prince Philip were driven
by Claire Sanecka from Buckingham Palace to Westminster
The Queen is celebrating Abbey in a Gold State Coach which was
an unprecedented pulled by eight grey gelding horses:
milestone for a British Cunningham, Tovey, Noah, Tedder,
monarch, as she marks her Platinum Eisenhower, Snow White, Tipperary
Jubilee. And the UK is and McCreery.
getting an extra bank The service began at 11.15 am and
holiday to honour the lasted almost three hours.
occasion, creating
a welcome four-day It was divided into six parts: the
weekend in June. recognition, the oath, the anointing, the
investiture (which includes the crowning),
However, the 70th anniversary of the enthronement and the homage.
Elizabeth II becoming Queen actually
fell in February, the month in which her For the past 900 years, the Coronation
father died, automatically passing the ceremony has taken place at
monarchy to her, aged 25. Elizabeth’s Westminster Abbey, London. The
coronation did not take place until the service is conducted by the Archbishop
following year, in 1953. of Canterbury, who has had this duty
almost consistently since the Norman
The King had been battling ill health and Conquest in 1066.
failed to recover from a lung operation.
His body was discovered by a valet at
7.30am. At 10.45am, it was announced
“that the King, who retired to rest
last night in his usual health, passed
peacefully away in his sleep early this
morning”. His death, aged 56, came while
the then Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya
with Prince Philip. The King lay in state at
Westminster Hall before his funeral which
was held on 15th February 1952 at St
George’s Chapel, Windsor, where he
is buried.
6
The 1950s - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
9 Tips For Taking Care • Prepare the children. Take a few minutes
to wash their faces and hands. Comb
Of Your Husband their hair and change their clothes if it is
necessary to make them look presentable
to him. They are “God’s Creatures” and
Over the past 60 years, your husband would like to see them
the relationship dynamic playing their part.
between men and women • Minimize all noise. At the time of his
has changed drastically. arrival, eliminate all the noises of the
And while many are still washer, dryer, dishwasher, and vacuum.
fighting for equality, a You’ve had plenty of time to do these
look back at what married things during the day. Don’t do them now.
life was like in the 1950s Encourage your children to be quiet. Be
shows just how far we have come. happy to see your husband. Greet him
A few years ago this extract from a 1950s with a warm smile.
Home Economics Book took the internet by • Do not greet your husband with
storm, with thousands unsure whether to problems or complaints. Don’t complain
be shocked or amused by the cringeworthy when he is late for dinner. Count this as
marriage advice offered to women at the minor when compared to what he had to
time. You can make your own mind up! go through today.
• Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even • Make him comfortable. Have him lean
the night before, to have a delicious meal back in a comfortable chair or suggest
ready on time. This is a way of letting him that he lie down for a few minutes in the
know that you have been thinking about bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready
him and are concerned about his needs. for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to
Most men are hungry when they come take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft,
home and the prospect of a good meal is soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to
part of the warm welcome needed. relax and unwind.
• Prepare yourself. Take fifteen minutes • Listen to him. You may have a dozen
to rest so that you are refreshed when things to tell him but the moment of his
he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a arrival is not the time. Let him speak first.
ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. • Make the evening his. He is special!
He has just been with a lot of work-weary Never complain that he does not take
people. Be a little gay and a little more you out to dinner or to other pleasant
interesting. His boring day may need a lift. entertainment. Instead, try to understand
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip his world of strain and pressure, his need
through the main part of the house. Gather to unwind and relax. Remember that you
up the books, toys, and newspapers. Dust relaxed all day waiting for his return. Now
the tables so that they appear clean. Your it’s his turn to enjoy what you enjoyed. Try
husband will feel that he has reached his to make his home a place of peace and
haven of rest and order. Doing this for him order, a place where your husband can
will give you a lift also. relax in body and spirit.
7
ALMSHOUSE NEWS - The 1950s
Fashion in the 1950s wear and evening wear. Dior himself
continued to produce designs that
followed the feminine line even while
by Linda Prendergast incorporating new elements. Even as
Fashion in the 1950s saw the silhouette evolved, its core style was
a clear gender divide. seen in evening gowns, day dresses and
While men’s fashion moved separates.
towards a more casual day-to-day style, Although womenswear in the 1950s
women’s fashion prided formality, men’s fashion moved
prioritised elegance, towards an informality it had not yet
formality and seen before. Though young women
perfectly matched wore tight sweaters and sought clothes
accessories. Novel that suited their age, it was young men
prints and colours who really started the so-called “youth
also marked a culture” of the 1950s. Since the rise
playfulness in fashion of the suit in the 18th century, men’s
for both men and women. fashion had seen little dramatic change
Fashion is rarely contained neatly in until the rise of the Teddy Boys in Britain
one decade, and the popular look that and the rebellious youths who looked
dominated womenswear in the 1950s to Hollywood stars Marlon Brando and
actually emerged in the late 1940s. When James Dean in the 1950s. In the years
Christian Dior’s “New Look” appeared after World War II, tailors on Savile Row
in 1947, it became an instant success in London introduced a slim cut suit with
and the nipped-in waist and full-skirted a velvet-collar that was referred to as the
silhouette remained the leading style New Edwardian.
until the mid-1950s. As the In the early
decade progressed, the 1950s young
dominant silhouette became working-class
progressively straighter and men began to
slimmer, and as fashion adopt and adapt
began to look to the new the style for their
“teenager” for inspiration, the own purposes. Nicknamed “Teddy Boys”
elegance and formality of the (Teddy being a nickname of Edward),
early part of the decade began to lessen. these young men
wore extremely
As the 1950s began the initial resistance narrow trousers,
to the extravagance of the New Look velvet-collared
had died down and the silhouette jackets and greased
was entrenched in both women’s day their hair back
into quiffs.
8
The 1950s - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
My Memories Of The 1950s and swept them all up and held his hand
out to me, while I was apologising to him
– so I shook it! How was I to know that he
by Ann Ellington expected a tip? Oops!
The 1950s were, to me, I went to the Reception Desk and asked
an amazing time: I was 18 “where is Alan Ladd’s suite please?”
and had just started drama They looked at each other, and said
school and was loving every moment. “Oh I expect you are looking for Stanley
The Queen’s Coronation came when I Baker?” “ Yes, of course” I replied, trying
was an unworldly, insecure teenager, to not look too embarrassed. “Room
and my father had arranged that Mother 209 second floor” he said. I found Room
and I could view the Queen’s Parade 209. I rang the buzzer with trepidation
from the balcony of his office building – the door opened and there was Alan
which was on Park Lane. What a very Ladd (OMG). My first thought was how
exciting day! I was looking around trying short he was, as he said “Hi you must
to take in the noise, the excitement of be looking for Stanley – he is in the next
the people jostling about on Park Lane room over there”. I slowly went towards
when I saw the gold coach with the the door which was half open – there
now Queen Elizabeth and Phillip sitting among many others was Stanley Baker.
inside. There were soldiers marching in I was trying to look cool and calm, which
scarlet and red suits and many different I was not! So I went over to him and said
coaches with other Royals and Royals “Mr Baker could you possibly give me
from the Commonwealth. But I became your autograph?” “Hi sweetie” he said “of
more interested in The Stars on the hotel course”. He duly signed my programme –
balcony of The Dorchester, next door. smiled and returned to the others he was
I could see many famous names but I having a conversation with. I left feeling a
definitely saw Alan Ladd (the American bit flat but I got Alan Ladd’s autograph on
Western star) and Stanley Baker (the the way out, so I was a happy bunny.
famous English actor). So I plucked up At the end of drama school (3 years) I
courage and asked my Mum and Dad if I went in to Repertory for a year before
could go up and ask for their autographs I met the man that was to become
and to my surprise they said yes! So with my husband and would give me two
my pen and programme in hand I walked wonderful children. But that is just the
through the swing doors of the hotel beginning of another part of my life
and as I stepped in my popper necklace story in the 50s. The eleven years from
popped all over the floor. I was so 1950 – 1961 were the most fulfilling and
embarrassed. A young page boy rushed rewarding years of my life – but that’s
towards me, dustpan and brush in hand, another story ….
9
ALMSHOUSE NEWS - The 1950s
Rationing in the 1950s Bread rationing was introduced in
1946 (9oz per day), prompting Winston
Churchill to state that the Food Minister's
by Leslie Cook announcement was "one of the gravest
I have ever heard in the time of peace."
Bacon/ham 4oz Butter 2oz It came off rationing in the early 1950s.
Cheese 2oz Eggs 1 Sweet rationing did not end until 1953.
Chops 2 Lard 4 oz
As for fruit and vegetables, home-grown
No, not the beginning of a recipe but was of course
what was an adult's weekly allowance readily
at the height of rationing, plus 8oz of available,
sugar, 4oz of tea, 1lb of meat and 8 oz of as a child
sweets per month. These were minimum how I missed
levels, increased for children, manual oranges and
workers and some other categories. It bananas (and
was necessary to register separately the Aeros
at the butchers and the bakers and so and KitKats).
on (no supermarkets then). Shortages Many a smart
of supplies sometimes meant queueing lawn and many
for ages at times. In fact if there was a well-kept public
queue, people were inclined to join it, not gardens were
knowing what they were queueing for but transformed into vegetable plots.
sensing that there must be something at
the end of it! I well remember queueing How all this deprivation must have
for about two hours, at the age of nine, affected us (and I just don't mean figure-
for oranges – only to be told very tersely wise!). There is an over abundance of
when I reached the counter: "We don't everything today. Yes, but a new form
serve children." There was an uproar of rationing has now arrived for those
from the queue: "You serve the kiddie... families unable to cope with the increase
He's been queueing same as us... in the cost of living. Never have food
That's not fair...". Just a few of the very parcels been so prevalent. But that's a
loud remarks yelled at the shopkeeper. different story. Rationing made most of us
Reader, I got served. who lived through those times resilient to
subsequent crises, from the Cold War to
Rationing was introduced by the the recent Pandemic.
Government in 1940 and it was not until
the early 1950s that most commodities So rationing in the 1950s was no
came "off ration". Meat was the last item picnic. Six years after the end of the
to be de-rationed and food rationing war in a country still weary from aerial
ended completely on 4th July 1954. bombardment and the emotional strain
10The 1950s - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
of having loved ones away in conflict in
foreign countries.
The 50s… The Golden Years
A ray of sunshine of Movie Making
shone in 1951
on the Festival of by Jenny Ruff
Britain, a morale
booster showing The second world war was
the best of British over and families were
manufacturing re-united (though sadly
and with abundant some not). It was a special
entertainment treat for everyone to go to “the pictures”.
diversions, These were the golden years of big
dancing to top blockbuster movies such as Ben Hur,
bands of the The Ten Commandments, Singing in the
time and many restaurants displaying Rain, Moby Dick and many more. Top
ingenuity sourcing their dishes. stars were John Wayne, Marlon Brando,
Gary Cooper, James Stewart and female
stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte
Bardot and the beautifully elegant Grace
Kelly to name a few.
A film I loved and
is often shown
on television
was the highest
grossing film of
1958 - the Rogers
And then the greatest beam of light. and Hammerstein
The Coronation on 2nd June 1953 of musical South
our current monarch, Queen Elizabeth Pacific starring
II. Rejoicing, street parties galore - Rosano Brazzi
where did all that food, apart from jam and Mitzi Gaynor
sandwiches come from... with wonderful
music and songs
... And then another reason for such as “Some enchanted evening” and
celebration: the end of all rationing on “I’m gonna wash that man right outta my
4th July the following year! Three hearty hair”. I had always dreamed of seeing
cheers! the South Pacific Islands and in my travel
career I was lucky enough to do so, but
11ALMSHOUSE NEWS - The 1950s
was quickly brought down to earth to
find out that the film was actually shot
TV in the 1950s
in Hawaii which I had visited previously
not knowing this. Watch this film and by Debbie Flaherty
I guarantee you’ll be in your armchair The 1950s brought the
twitching your fingers to Bloody Mary arrival of television in the
singing “Happy Talk” for ages afterwards! UK and at that time it was
Another considered a luxury item.
blockbuster However, by 1960 almost three quarters
favourite often of the population had one.
shown on TV is In the mid-fifties, the emphasis was on
the Humphrey news, current affairs, and history. Some
Bogart and of these programmes included:
Katherine Hepburn Panorama – which is still going strong
film “The African today.
Queen” (1951).
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? A quiz
Rose (KH) is a
programme for archaeological experts.
British missionary
in East Africa in Leisure & Pleasure, Family Affairs,
1914 rescued About the Home. The fifties equivalent
from the German army after her brother of daytime television for women
was killed by Charlie Allnut (HB) and (presumably all the men were at work).
his dilapidated steamboat called The Sports events included:
African Queen. There is war, intrigue University Boat Race, Wimbledon Tennis,
and many adventures along the way Test Match Cricket, The FA Cup.
before being captured by the Germans Other popular programmes included:
as spies and sent to be executed. Charlie Emergency Ward 10, I love Lucy, Double
asks the German Captain to marry them your Money and Dixon of Dock Green.
and he agrees - when lo and behold the There was a
boat plunges down the rapids and they period between
escape. Phew hairy stuff! Nearer to home 6pm and 7pm
than East Africa the final few scenes when no TV was
were actually shot on the small Duke of broadcast. This
Northumberland River in Isleworth which was used to trick
I walked along every morning going to young children
work. into thinking TV
From South Pacific to Isleworth…A world had finished for
apart but both very happy memories for the evening so that they would head off
me! to bed without complaining!
12The 1950s - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
How Times Have Changed!
Ads from the 1950s.
13ALMSHOUSE NEWS - The 1950s
The Festival of Britain focussed on British achievements.
Funded chiefly by the Government, it had
a budget of £12 million – £376 million in
by Mike Townsin today’s money.
In May 1951 the name There was also a hidden agenda: the
of Police Constable Labour government was losing support,
Frederick Hicks entered so the unspoken goal was to influence
the history books, as he ascended the the electorate by giving it the feeling of a
300 foot Skylon, centrepiece of the successful recovery from the war.
Festival of Britain, Though the “floating” Skylon, an unusual
to remove a scarf cigar
tied to the pinnacle shaped
by student prankster object
Philip Gurdon of supported
the University of by cables,
London’s Birkbeck was an
College. abiding
This event, widely symbol of the exhibition, it was scrapped
reported in the tabloid (literally) in 1952 on the orders of
press, preceded, Winston Churchill who saw it as a symbol
by a few weeks, of the previous Labour administration;
the opening of in fact Churchill had opposed the whole
the exhibition by project which he described as “three
HM King George dimensional socialist propaganda”. This
VI and Queen view was publicly endorsed at the time by
Elizabeth. the (only recently deceased) Richmond
The festival luminary and national treasure, Michael
was conceived by the then Labour Frayn.
Government for a couple of reasons: In fact the festival was a great success,
to mark the 1851 Great Exhibition and the British public flocked to London,
centennial, but more importantly to not to mention several spin-off festivals
be a “tonic to the nation” following the across the UK: there were 10 million paid
privations of WW2, and to raise the admissions to the six main exhibitions
spirits of the country by showcasing on the South Bank over the five summer
the inventiveness and genius of British months it ran. By contrast, the Millenium
scientists, technologists, designers, Dome exhibition which cost £789 million
artists. (£1.4 billion today) attracted half that
But unlike its Victorian predecessor it was number of visitors over its twelve month
not a World Fair; instead it was entirely run, and was judged a failure by the
press.
14The 1950s - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
From Coronation day the hope that you would pull through and
not die. Now, following a heart attack,
until now – swings and you may be given clot-busting drugs, a
stent or two, a coronary artery bypass
roundabouts in the NHS operation or even a heart transplant!
Asthma was also a very serious condition
by Dr Alex Hall prior to the arrival of Ventolin in 1969.
On Coronation day in Before then it was treated with adrenaline
1953, hospital life was very or aminophylline – an injection that could
much as portrayed in the kill the patient if injected too rapidly.
film Doctor In The House, Although it can still be serious, asthma
which starred Dirk Bogarde as Simon treatment has been transformed by
Sparrow and James Robertson Justice, Ventolin and Becotide inhalers.
the redoubtable consultant surgeon of Many previously untreatable cancers can
“the bleeding time” fame. And to be seen now be cured. Lymphomas and almost
by your GP, all one had to do was to all leukaemias were fatal conditions – not
turn up at your doctor’s surgery and wait so now. Treatment of diabetes and many
your time (or if too unwell to attend the other chronic conditions are enormously
surgery, request a home visit which would improved.
be granted without question!).
Antibiotics were very few in number –
M&B, penicillin and tetracycline. There
are now numerous antibiotics to choose
from; however bacterial resistance to
these drugs is, unfortunately becoming
very prevalent.
Joint replacement was unknown in the
1950s and gall bladder removal left one
with an 8 inch scar – now two or three
very small puncture scars after “key hole
In reality, we all know the difficulties surgery". Anaesthetics are enormously
in getting a GP appointment now. safer than the very explosive ether
However, the advances in medical anaesthesia of the 50s. All hospitals
treatment in the past 70 years have been smelled of ether!
truly astounding. If one had a heart attack How well I remember my first patient to
in the 1950s or 60s all that was available reach the age of 90 in the 1970s – in the
was complete bedrest for 2 weeks and 50s most people died before the age of
80, and many before 70 – a revolution
indeed.
15ALMSHOUSE NEWS - The 1950s
“Rock 'n Roll” Roll” decade but the early years of that
period saw a collective of musical styles
ranging from novelty songs to small vocal
(and what I did with the groups and post war crooners.
“Luton Girls’ Choir”)
Featured band singers such as Peggy
by Gerry Wilson Lee, Patsy Cline and Doris Day
A sale of shellac records established solo platforms whilst in Britain
purchased on a whim from a local music we had our own Alma Cogan, Ruby
store was my first awakening to what Murray and Julie London.
in America was then characterised Nat King Cole was a rare person of
as crossover race artists. My youthful colour on the American hit parade, but
curiosity had been drawn to the cover versions of race records were very
descriptive epithets attached to the label common such as “Fever” and “Cottage for
names of the singers: Little Richard, Fats Sale” and most lamentable, Pat Boone’s
Domino and Chuck Berry. insipid attempt at the Little Richard classic
Recording artists such as these were “Tutti Frutti”.
unknown on the family radiogram and Perry Como sent the nation to anodyne
my constant playing of the trove raised sleep whilst Johnny Ray cried like a baby,
a parental concern for my mental well- Michael Holiday told the story of his life
being. Needle time for my 78 rpm’s was and Frankie Vaughn complained about a
curtailed to Saturday afternoons when non-compliant green door.
the house was empty and my sister was
out of earshot from the racy exhortations Bearded intellectuals with knitted jumpers
complicit in the lyrics. Therefore, in a fit and briar pipes found a constrained
of pique and as any fair-minded juvenile excitement in “Trad Jazz” which had
delinquent would do, been tempered from Southern Dixie style
I banished a favourite musicians such as Bunk Johnson and
of Dad’s – the “Dream Sidney Bechet. The British purveyors of
of Olwen” sung by this alchemy were the three “Bs”: Barber,
the Luton Girls’ choir Bilk and Ball.
– to the dark recess For working class "wannabees" there was
at the bottom of the the three-chord joy of “Skiffle,” with tea
leatherette settee, chest, wash board and acoustic guitar or
never again to ride banjo. The pre-eminent exponent of this
the waltzing revolutions of a Garrard genre was Lonnie Donegan whose “Rock
turntable. Island Line” was to be a spring board to
The 50s are regarded as the “Rock 'n the British Blues of the 60s.
16The 1950s - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
By the middle of the decade white
American teenagers, with money to Coronation Chicken
spend and a rebellious nature, found
expression to their frustrations in a
sanitised version of Rhythm and Blues
called Rock ‘n Roll tagged by the DJ Alan
Freed.
Credence is given to
the first invocation
of this style as being
“Rocket 88” by the Ike
Turner band but in Ingredients
truth it is just a jump
blues with a boogie • 6 tbsp mayonnaise
shuffle. • 2 -3 tsp mild curry powder to taste
Bill Haley and the Comets triumphed with • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
“Rock Around the Clock” and the follow • 2 tbsp mango chutney
up “See You Later Alligator” became a
• 1-3 tbsp sultanas, or to taste
parting affectation by school children and
adults alike. • 500g shredded chicken or
leftover chicken.
The propellant that accelerated Rock ‘n
Roll into the mainstream came with the Method
arrival of Elvis Presley whose raucous Step 1 – Mix mayonnaise, curry powder,
style and swivel hips allied to great songs cinnamon, chutney and sultanas together
from Leiber and Stoller sent out shock and season with salt and pepper.
waves that alarmed parents but thrilled Step 2 – Add the chicken and stir to
their teenage offspring. In Britain, home coat. Stir in 2 tbsp of water to loosen if
grown talent such as Tommy Steel, required. Season and serve as desired.
Marty Wilde and Cliff Richard fashioned
themselves after their transatlantic Delicious with a jacket potato, in a
cousins with equal excitement and sandwich or with a seasonal salad.
hysteria.
The notion that rock and roll was just
a passing irritation was swept aside as
new talent emerged: Buddy Holly, Eddie
Cochran, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis,
Carl Perkins and many others giving truth
to the maxim that with “Rock ‘n Roll” you
17
never grow old!ALMSHOUSE NEWS - Community News & Events
Market Place Film Club: Cheese and
Exercise machine Wine Film Night
for sale.
If you are interested Thursday 16th June at 6.00pm
please contact Alf and (Film starts 6.30pm)
Beryl Read directly for "I don’t believe it!".
information and price. "The Duke" is still not
Tel: 020 8940 1737 available to rent in the
UK. But not to worry,
we’ll be showing
"Death on the Nile"
instead. This is the
Kenneth Branagh
version (2022). The
cinematography is
gorgeous and will help you recapture
your Nile cruise memories or perhaps
entice you to book one to experience
one for yourself (without the murders, of
course).
Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's vacation
aboard a glamorous river steamer turns
into a terrifying search for a murderer
when a picture-perfect couple's idyllic
honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set
against an epic landscape of sweeping
Egyptian desert vistas and the majestic
Giza pyramids, this tale of unbridled
passion and incapacitating jealousy
features a cosmopolitan group of
impeccably dressed travellers, and
enough wicked twists and turns to leave
audiences guessing until the final,
During the 50s less than 1 in 10
shocking denouement.
households had a phone.
All are welcome and remember there
is no charge. Just turn up.
We’d love to see you.
18Community News & Events - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
We’re off to Bognor Regis Quiz Night
by Linda Prendergast by Norman Bramfitt
Tuesday 26th July
On Thursday 5th May it
Don’t forget to book your was time for the bi-annual
seat on the bus. quiz which is run so
brilliantly and efficiently by Eve & Steve.
Places are limited so make sure you
Once again, the wine and snacks were
let your Scheme Manager know before
generously supplied by The Richmond
Monday 4th July.
Charities.
I was in the team on a table which
consisted of Ron, Mary, Jackie, Sylvia
and me. From the very start it was nip
and tuck between table 7 and 8 with
each member of our team coming up
with answers at crucial times to keep
us hanging on their coats tails. Going
into the final round we were trailing
by 2 points, but had saved our joker
(double points) for this round. Fortunately
Remember you can also bring a carer for us we had a good round which
and a friend. meant we ended up as the winners.
Winning was the icing on the cake and
We will set off from Hickey's at 9.00am capped a wonderful evening of fun and
and then make our way to the other pick entertainment. We all look forward to
up points at Wakefield Road bus station another quiz later in the year.
and Lebanon Court in Twickenham.
Thanks from us all to Eve & Steve.
The bus will leave Bognor Regis at
4.00pm for the return journey.
On this Day: On this Day:
5th June 1956 2nd July 1953 The Coronation
Elvis Presley goes on television of Queen Elizabeth II in
to promote his new single "Hound Westminster. The ceremony was
Dog", scandalising Middle America televised; this helped to sell over
with his "suggestive hip 1 million TV licences
movements" that year.
19ALMSHOUSE NEWS - Community News & Events
Out And About Group
Trip to The London Museum Wetherspoons almost adjacent to
of Docklands the museum. It was quite a nice and
Once again, we "Out and Abouts" set off spacious pub with the usual menu.
and boarded the fast train to Waterloo. Before we left, we decided on a
We made our way to the Jubilee Line. departure time and the return route. We
This is quite a step if your walking find it best to avoid the rush hour on the
isn’t great. The tube sped through the return journeys.
tunnel but its screeching was almost Believe it or not we finally entered the
overpowering at times. Not the most museum. The staff were very friendly and
pleasant of journeys. offered us advice on how we might make
the most of our visit. As there was so
We exited the station, and found
much to see one had to make choices.
ourselves bewildered in a canyon of
We took the lift to the top floor and began
vast tall buildings. Still, the Museum
to view some of the following Galleries:
was only seven minutes away. What, by
helicopter? Reminded me of the times 1600 – 1800 Trade Expansion
when a seaside landlady described her 1840 – 1880 First Port of Empire
B&B as being only a five-minute walk 1600 – 2022 London Sugar and Slavery
to the beach? Well, perhaps the map 1800 – 1840 City - River
designer was one of her grandchildren. 1840 – 1850 Sailortown
There were lots of information boards in 1880 – 1939 Warehouse of the world
the square all saying "You are Here" but 1939 – 1945 Docklands at War
a notable absence of clear direction signs 1945 – 2022 New Port - New City
to the Museum. Anyway, we managed to
agree on a route and set off on what was
far more than the elusive seven-minute
route.
By the time
Photo Sue McAnena
we reached
the museum
we were
famished
but luckily
there was a
20Community News & Events - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
Our return route was by Docklands Light
Railway (DLR) to Stratford. It was a bit Wit and Wisdom
of a walk from the DLR station to the
Overground station but once on the train curated by Mike Townsin
it only took an hour to get to Richmond. “Whatever you do, stamp out
With a London Freedom Pass this abuses, and love those who
love you”.
wonderful day out was free of
charge. Oh, the joys of being an Voltaire
"Out and About". “Children begin by loving their parents; after
a time they judge them; rarely, if ever, do
they forgive them”.
Oscar Wilde
“I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius
and we’re sceptical”.
Arthur C. Clarke
“The way to ensure summer in England is to
have it framed and glazed in a comfortable
room”.
Perhaps you might consider making Horace Walpole
a visit yourself. If so, which is the “Life is what happens when you’re busy
better route: Main line and Jubilee or making other plans”.
Overground and DLR? I would suggest John Lennon from song Beautiful Boy
Overground/DLR. However, whichever
route you choose you’ll get there “I could go on stage and make a pizza and
they’d still come to see me”.
eventually.
Frank Sinatra
Directions: Richmond Overground
“Three o’clock is always too late or too early
to Stratford DLR to West India Quay
for anything you want to do”.
London Museum of Docklands (500
Jean-Paul Sartre
metres) On exiting the DLR look for
this building. “A man wrapped up in himself makes a very
small parcel”
John Ruskin
On this Day: “ People who like Trump have room
temperature IQs and no education”
4th May 1951
David Crosby, US folk-rock legend
The Festival of Britain
opened. “I think aging is an extraordinary process
whereby you become the person you should
have been”
David Bowie
21ALMSHOUSE NEWS - Past Community Events
Friends & Neighbours century in origin. A tour of the house
starts in the sitting room, where an
Outing To Chartwell adjoining terrace perfectly shows off why
the Churchills loved Chartwell so much
– the stunning views out to the Weald
by Leslie Cook of Kent. Next is the Drawing Room, light
Still enjoying our escape and airy and looking out over the garden.
from the Covid bubble, A card table remains set out with the
a group of us joined game of bezique, a favourite of the great
the latest Friends & man. And then the
Neighbours outing. We were pleased to Library, a place of
board our familiar minibus, to be driven peace and quiet
by our ever-trusty driver, Brian, and off to which he could
we went to Westerham in Kent. Our retreat. On its own
destination was Chartwell, the family the Visitors Book,
home for forty-two years, 1922-1964, bearing the names
of Sir Winston Churchill, a man whose of an incredible
public life needs no explanation to our number of the
generation. famous in all walks of life, from Charlie
Chaplin to the Queen. Other rooms
We see him as a great war-time leader,
follow, each with a fascinating story to
with his bulldog face and trademark
tell. A selection of the gifts presented to
cigar. But a visit to Chartwell exposes
our war-time Prime Minister is on display
so many different sides to his character.
in the Museum Room, the most imposing
He was a devoted family man with a
of which are the massive cut glass and
deep love of gardens. The house is
gem-studded silver fruit bowls given by
surrounded by landscapes which he
Josef Stalin.
designed. It was surprising to learn that
he was exceptionally keen on butterflies So much to see, so much to linger over.
and built a special house for them. Black Must see all the paintings in the studio.
swans adorn one of the lakes. But back But as usual time said No! Back to the
to the house. minibus, some of us laden with plants
and pots and others with irresistible
Chartwell is where he brought up his
purchases from the well-stocked shop.
young family, wrote his many works and
And many of us were still smiling to know
entertained a host of the most important.
that the successor to a marmalade cat
The house does not have the grandeur
named “Jock”, given to Churchill on his
of a stately home but is a typical country
88th birthday and present on his death
mansion, dating back to the fifteenth
bed, was there to eye each visitor with
what looked like a grin.
22Local News & Events - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
Ham Open Gardens Art history events announced
Ham Open Gardens returns once every The Old Town Hall in Richmond will host
two years, residents an extensive programme of
have a unique art history talks and events
opportunity to go throughout the summer
behind the garden months. For more info:
wall of a selection of www.richmond.gov.uk/news/may_2022/
the most beautiful summer_art_history_events_announced
private gardens in Kew’s Avenue Club
Ham. For more info: www.richmond.gov.
uk/news/may_2022/ham_open_gardens_
Kew’s Avenue Club – the
returns
daytime social club based
Twickenham Riverside's at Kew Community Centre
for people in their 50s and
Mary Wallace Theatre beyond – is bringing back its lunchtime
food offering. www.richmond.gov.uk/
Following their
news/may_2022/kew_club_relaunches_
epic production of
weekday_lunches
Henry IV, a further
conflict is currently Watercolour Painting Course
in rehearsal at
Twickenham In the beautiful setting of JMW Turner's
Riverside's Mary Wallace Theatre. For country retreat in
more info: www.richmond.gov.uk/news/ Twickenham, join award
may_2022/carnage_at_mary_wallace_ winning artist Tim
theatre Wright for a five-session
summer watercolour painting course. For
Kew the Music
more info: www.richmond.gov.uk/news/
may_2022/turners_house_painting_course
Kew the Music returns for 2022. With
iconic names in a Volunteer for VisitRichmond
spectacular setting,
Kew the Music is Would you like to help
back this July with promote the delights of
an amazing line up. our borough to visitors
For more info: www. who arrive at Richmond
richmond.gov.uk/ Station? For more info: www.richmond.
news/may_2022/kew_the_music_returns_ gov.uk/news/may_2022/volunteer_for_
for_2022 visitrichmond
23ALMSHOUSE NEWS
The Autobiography Group - run by Stuart Lee
by Stuart Lee down below, to see his horse waiting
This round of the patiently for him, munching oats in his
Autobiography group nose bag.
is coming to an end, My mother was a very good cook, self-
with participants having taught and adventurous. We used to
explored and written about many varied have proper spaghetti, which came in
aspects of their lives. long blue paper packets, served with
home made Italian meatballs and sauce.
"My First Home – the
Very unusual in those days. Roast
Kitchen"
chicken was a treat, which we had on
by Susan Shaper.
Friday nights or for Sunday lunch and my
I remember the kitchen in mother's chicken soup was something to
my first home. A mansion remember – fragrant and golden, delicate
flat, built in the 1930's in a place called and delicious.
Ealing Village, which was conceived Sometimes for Dad, she'd make a proper
as a residence for film stars working at steak and kidney pud in a pudding bowl,
nearby Ealing Studios. Gardens and lots with a paper top and string tied round.
of open space to play and ride bikes, a
Another favourite was baked green
tennis court, clubhouse and an open-air
peppers or marrow stuffed with a
swimming pool, a lovely place to grow up
delicious mixture of minced beef and rice.
in the 1950s.
After a while we asked if she could leave
The kitchen itself was quite small and out the veg and just give us the stuffing,
utilitarian. Deco style wooden cabinets, a which was so yummy. My brother and I
walk-in larder with a double stable door, nicknamed it "Lassie" – after one of the
a small put-up table attached to the lower first dog food commercials on TV.
half, where my younger brother and I
"Lassie – full of Meaty Goodness!" We
would sometimes have tea or lunch in
thought it looked like it. It didn't really.
the school holidays, sitting on little stools.
My mother's pride and joy was a cream Needless to say, it didn't take us long to
coloured Frigidaire fridge. Very American, enjoy teasing our mother, when we were
very much the thing. out shopping with her, by saying in a loud
voice –
I remember our cheerful milkman, coming
to the back door, dressed in a peaked "Mummy, please can we have Lassie
cap and white coat, uniform from the again this evening for supper? We love
United Dairies on Ealing Common. it so!"
I used to like looking out the window, Still makes me smile when I think of
it today.
24ALMSHOUSE NEWS
Page Turners by Serge Lourie
A Short History
by Mike Townsin of Tractors in
Ukrainian
The Old Man and
the Sea. by Marina Lewycka
by Ernest Hemingway I loved this book
when it was
A novella. Written: published in 2005.
1951. Published:1952. It is implausible but
Awarded Pulitzer charming. It sold a million copies and
Prize for Fiction:1953. won several awards.
Its author awarded
the Nobel Prize for his contribution to The first paragraph sets the scene
literature, including this book: 1954. It beautifully. “Two years after my mother
was the last one published in his lifetime. died, my father (Nikolai) fell in love with a
glamorous blonde Ukrainian divorcée. He
It tells the story of Santiago, an ageing was eighty-four and she was thirty-six.
Cuban fisherman who, having gone She exploded into our lives like a fluffy
eighty-four days without catching a fish, pink grenade, churning up the murky
finds himself battling a giant marlin far water, bringing to the surface a sludge of
out in the Gulf Stream. Despite this sloughed-off memories…”
he expresses compassion for the fish,
referring to him as a brother. He finally The narrator and her sister then spend
catches the marlin only to lose it to a 325 pages freeing Nikolai from a greedy
shark attack before he can get back to and unsuitable younger wife very
shore. amusingly as well as revealing family
secrets and dealing with the plight of
Why should you read it? Because it’s refugees in wartime and thereafter.
a heart-wrenching narrative about life,
mortality, friendship, pride, religion, If, like disgraced MP, Neil Parrish, you
youth, age, love. The sea is a symbol like tractors, this is not the book for
for the whole of nature. Above all it’s a you as they are only a device to show
tale about perseverance: “A man can be that Nikolai had been a distinguished
destroyed but not defeated”. engineer when younger.
It is also a story for our times, as we
emerge resilient from a life threatening,
life changing pandemic.
257. IASNYEANMO mayonnaise
Name: _____________________________________________________ Date: ___
Name: ______________________________________
8. YDDSIEAM dismayed
Road Names inwords with ‘ma
ALMSHOUSE NEWS - Answer Page
Richmond Boroug 9. HYMEAM mayhem
Road names in Richmond Words with "May" in them 10. AAYMDY mayday
1. ARYNEDIV vineyard 1. EBYMA maybe 11. YDEINUAMDS undismayed
2. USEQEN queens 2. FMYLAY mayfly 12. NMYAA mayan
3. GSIKN kings 3. SARIPOYMH mayorship 13. LMYERAFOW mayflower
4. EATRW water 4. MLPEYAO maypole 14. GAAMY gamay
5. WTEKNIHAMC twickenham 5. MEYAILSF mayflies 15. APYLPMAE mayapple
6. DQRAAUNT quadrant 6. SYAIBDRM maybirds 16. WMEAYED mayweed
7. EIIERDRVS riverside 7. IASNYEANMO mayonnaise 17. AREYSMSO mayoress
8. ROKY york 8. YDDSIEAM dismayed 18. OPMAYP maypop
9. UKDE duke 9. HYMEAM mayhem 19. IYNAGM maying
Name: _____________________________________________________ Date: _______
10. DROWL world 10. AAYMDY mayday 20. AYAM maya
11. DMORON ormond Words of Self Empowerment
Words 11. YDEINUAMDS
of "Self undismayed
Empowerment"
12. RHHUCC church Y Q S 12.
H NMYAA
G M Cmayan
R E A T I V E N X E F E C V X E D
E R U A X B M O H D A Y O Y E W N C X S F R N E
13. EARCEITB beatrice E X O 13.
P LMYERAFOW
J O C H Emayflower
E R F U L P H E O Q U O G T L
R T E P C L M Z N C P Q V L O N R N U O E L H I
14. OOLWNS onslow 14. GAAMY gamay
F E G Y M D Z N F A I T H F U L G F I L C O U G
15. MAUENTOG montague V I A 15.
O APYLPMAE
P A S S mayapple
I O N A T E X O I I S E P W S H
E U R U J E L B A T R O F M O C Z D I V G I I T
16. AINNNGM manning C Q U 16.
D WMEAYED
K U W Emayweed
M P O W E R E D E E T R P N A F
P A O E V I T P E C E R T S X L D N E A R G S U
17. RGVOE grove 17. AREYSMSO mayoress
A R C P D N I K E L B A V O L U U T Q M O B T L
18. IPAASRED paradise S M E 18.
B OPMAYP
N I M maypop
A G I C A L T Y E H F S R U O I Y
H U A C R A E L C F O C U S E D Y O E L D K C R
19. OUOLHBN houblon 19. IYNAGM maying
O M O Z I O P T I M I S T I C P I Q U C Q J I A
20. CRRAGKI garrick P M M I I O D E T I C X E J O N N F D R A M Z N
20. AYAM maya
E T A K C N U Y I C V Q Q S S B Y E E X S E I I
F E C G Z A G S L A K K I P Y A N S Z J U Y P D
U V P K N L R U R L Y T I S L E I G S C O K M R
L I Z O S I F G O M I R A P T L N F M R L S F O
C S W W W Y F W Q V E E I H I I E A A D U I G A
E I T K O E N I E D D L G E V Y H D N A B R L R
O C B J S G R U C L O I N O V P I M O X A F L T
S E T V N B A F F E L T L T W A R Y B Y F L A X
H D Y N A M I C U N N K I T N A I L L I R B U E
E M O S E W A R E L B T O T A P P R E C I A T E
26 EXTRAORDINARY
OPTIMISTIC
MARVELOUS
ENTHUSIASTIC
DELIGHTFUL
EXQUISITE
MAGNIFICENT
COURAGEOUS
ENERGIZED
ENLIGHTENED
APPRECIATE
EMPOWERED
COMFORTABLE
RESILIENT
CONFIDENT
PASSIONATE
RECEPTIVE
BRILLIANT
PRECIOUS POWERFUL POSITIVE PEACEFUL INSPIRED FAITHFUL
GRACIOUS FABULOUS DECISIVE CREATIVE CHEERFUL RADIANT
PLAYFUL MAGICAL LOVABLE HOPEFUL GLOWING FOCUSED
EXCITED DYNAMIC AWESOME AMAZING LOVING JOYFUL
JAZZED FRISKY QUIET PROUD NOBLE HAPPY
CLEAR OPEN KIND FREE EASY CALMFun & Games - ALMSHOUSE NEWS
The 1950s Quiz by Norman Bramfitt
Answers in next month's issue
Question Answer
1 What was the name of the Archbishop of
Canterbury who crowned Queen Elizabeth II
in 1953?
2 What was Elvis Presley’s first UK number one hit
in 1956?
3 Which human organ was the first ever to be
transplanted in 1954?
4 Which film won 2 Oscars in 1959?
5 Which fashion designer created the famous
1950s collection named “The New Look”?
6 Which tragic event took place on 6th February
1958?
7 In which film did Marilyn Monroe play the
character “Sugar Cane”?
8 In 1950, what card became the first credit card?
9 Who was Elizabeth Taylor married to from
1952-1957?
10 In 1959, which two states became the 49th and
50th States of America?
11 Which singer had a UK number one hit with
“Cumberland Gap”?
12 Robert Menzies was Prime Minister of which
country throughout the fifties?
13 Which toy was invented in 1958 when Arthur
K Melin and Richard Knerr took a simple old
fashioned idea and turned it into a 1950s fad?
14 What was the biggest selling record of
the 1950s?
15 W
hich actor played George Dixon in all 423
episodes of “Dixon of Dock Green”?
Your chance to win a £10 M&S Voucher! Give this whole page to your Scheme
Manager, or place in the suggestion box before FRIDAY 17th June 2022.
Name:_______________________________________________
27ALMSHOUSE NEWS
Poetry Corner by Nigel Davis
Let’s have a jubilee poem for this jubilee issue. This one by Pam Ayres
captures the spirit, I think. It was actually written for the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee in 2012 and focuses on her coronation in 1953, rather than when
she ascended to the throne in 1952. But who cares? I have abridged the
poem a little bit and changed the word to “seventy” in the penultimate line –
sorry, Pam!
A poem for the Jubilee
by Pam Ayres
Dad took me to our local pub in 1953,
They had a television set, the first I’d ever see,
To watch a Coronation! I knew it sounded grand,
Although at six years old, the word was hard to understand.
But little kids like me, and others all around the world,
We saw the magic crown; we saw magnificence unfurled,
A brand new Queen created, the emergence and the birth,
And the Abbey seemed a place between the Heavens and the Earth.
Certain pictures linger when considering the reign,
Hauntingly in black and white, a platform and a train,
The saddest thing I ever saw, more sharp than any other,
Prince Charles. The little boy who had to shake hands with his mother.
I will stand up and be counted; I am for the monarchy,
And if they make mistakes, well they are frail like you and me,
I would not choose a president to posture and to preen,
Live in a republic? I would rather have the Queen.
I wish our Queen a genuinely joyful Jubilee,
Secure in the affection of the mute majority,
I hope she hears our voices as we thank her now as one, Seventy years
a Queen.
A job immaculately done.
28You can also read
