Category Archives: Growing up in Leek, Staffs. My observations published in the Leek Post & Times

DULCE ET DECORUM EST Boredom is an evil playmate. I was in the fourth year at Westwood High School preparing for my O’Levels and we were studying the War Poets, specifically Wilfred Owen today. The problem I had is that … Continue reading →

I think Leek’s schools were always very proactive at getting their pupils to learn an instrument but as canny seven year olds we learnt to avoid the old wooden recorders with teeth marks on the mouthpieces nevertheless, rushing instead for … Continue reading →

The town hall’s interior in Market Street was a forlorn shabby building by day occupied by faceless clerks who took money off you for rates, but at night was transformed into the equivalent of The London Palladium. A huge staircase … Continue reading →

Our teacher was ill. The boy beside me had a constant dribble from his nose and was alternately sniffing loudly and wiping his nose on his jumper sleeve. Mr Grey was looking grim as he tried to read a story … Continue reading →

Without needing to scratch my chin sagely, I can honestly say that I remember a place in Leek when it was just fields: The Ladydale Estate opposite the Cemetery on Junction Road! We had lived at the Police House opposite … Continue reading →

I had been a bit nervous about going into Mrs Savage’s Class 3. My brother who was two years older than me had given me the impression she was capable of living up to her name. There was a palpable … Continue reading →

I consider myself to be a naturally gregarious person, but then I look back to the times I would go to Ballington Woods on my own at the age of ten, practically from dawn till dusk. My especial favourite place … Continue reading →