Page 98 - Through a glass brightly

It’s interesting to discover what everyone remembers about their school days. Makes you think, doesn’t it? Also, I was quite shocked to hear that Glenda felt so differently about the limitations of the curriculum. Goodness me, though, you’ve certainly more than made up for it since, Glenda!
Some of us were the first generation to get into further education – with the establishment of the new universities. It was Harold Wilson’s great achievement – not to mention the founding of the Open University – and broadening out opportunities for so many of us less privileged people to benefit from university education. I was certainly the first in my family to go to university, not that that meant I was any brighter than my parents. We just had different opportunities.
By the way, Glenda, I too used to go up to the Old Vic while still at school – on the tube from Barnet every Saturday afternoon. Met Miss Girling, our French teacher there in the gallery one afternoon. Am amazed I never met you! Perhaps we didn’t know each other then.
I learnt the text of Hamlet off by heart when I was about 12 after seeing John Neville in the role with a very young Judy Dench as Ophelia. (My dad used to get complimentary seats in the stalls every third night, as he wrote reviews for the Barnet Press.) I developed quite a crush on John Neville and used to walk past his house in Hadley Road every week on my way to Miss Searle for piano lessons – staring in at his front window. (How rude! But I didn’t stop) I think I once impressed our sixth-form head of table at dinner by quoting from it. Could say more, but had better stop before more comes flooding back! Hope this fills out the general picture a little bit.
Saturday, 23rd May
From Janet at 11.14
I have some sad news - although only Jen and Sandy probably had only met Rod in person - over the last few weeks he enjoyed my reading out the email trail that I had joined and had identified me in the UIVR photo (which is more than can be said for some of the family!) Although not in this group we had spent a couple of lovely holidays on Skye with Sally Moon in her B&B, the last time probably in the mid 90s.
Sadly, Rod died a few days ago - it was very peaceful and as he wished at home. The nurse by chance was here and so some of the initial paperwork was finalised immediately and that worry taken away from us.
I am sure most of us have at our age been involved with arranging funerals etc after the death of a close family member. This is so different now in lockdown. It is all done over the phone. The registration, funeral director and the bank. Our younger son was here and we sat at home wondering what we should be doing. No large funeral for family and friends - that will come later when Rod's ashes are buried back in Staffordshire as he had arranged with a memorial service at All Saints here in Malvern – again at some point in the future. Surplus food I had bought especially for him has gone to the foodbank to help those in special need at this time. I have had lots of calls and cards but visits are socially distanced. The furthest I have driven since lockdown is Malvern Station which is eight minutes drive away - and even that seemed an adventure.
A work friend from Birmingham phoned me this week for a chat - some of the people I knew at work have lost friends and family to COVID 19 - I feel as if I am living in a little COVID 10 free bubble here in Upper Welland as there are apparently no cases at the local surgery. nor amongst anyone known to me.
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