Hi folks,
I was born in 1944, the son of a Watchmaker, in Nottingham (UK), the eldest of 4 boys and later a kid sister. I went to Glaisdale Sec Mod school.
As there were four of us boys, all with their own set of friends, our house and especially the garden was always busy. Money was always tight with a large family, but I don't think we ever realised. We were far from poor.
We had a railway close by for train spotting; a canal for fishing; and plenty of woods. And a large council estate to run around and cause mischief in. Never any damage though...
Those were the days when there were few cars for us to get run over by, although I managed it at just 4 years of age! But we fished with hand lines; we competed with train spotting; we knew all the trees and flowers, butterflies and birds by their names. It was safe, then, to play in the woods; at just 11 I took by 9-year old brother hitch-hiking to Doncaster, a fair way away. All mum worried about was that we had a map, which we learned to read very early on. No tv or computers, just the old 'wireless'. But we knew so many games. Things are so very different now.
The school was one of the first Secondary Moderns, so we had workshops and science labs, and a stage in the Assembly Hall. Discipline was very tight - we were there to learn, and learn we did. Cane, or the strap, if you got out of line. I think all that went to Glaisdale have fond memories though.
I left school and 3 weeks later I was in the Royal Navy. I was in the Communications Branch; besides semaphore and flag signalling, I did radio operating, cryptography, fleet manoevering, and of course the 'all hands in' jobs like ammunitioning ship, stores, and paint ship.
My first ship and trip, at just 16, was Icelandic Patrol. I went on to serve in Destroyers, Frigates, Minesweepers, and a short trip on an aircraft carrier. I visited practically every country in Europe; sailed a ship from the UK, through the Med; down the Suez and Red Sea, Ceylon, across the equator, the Maldives, and finally to Singapore. On to Borneo and Japan.
I was lucky enough to be married-accompanied in Singapore on the second 18-month visit there. But I've lived in Nottingham, Portsmouth, Gosport, Southsea, Reading, Ipswich, and Singapore, inter-alia. I had a great 12 years, with many fine ship-mates and pals. I miss it even now.
On leaving the navy, I worked for a time in the Civil Service on the 1971 Census Survey; moved on to the telegraph office with British Rail in Nottingham; and then on to computing. That's when 256k took a large room up! I then got an opening in the Magistrates Court, who had enough faith in me to send me to Bristol Poly (Uni now) to get a law degree and qualify as a Court Clerk. 3 years of hard work, but very rewarding. I stayed for 15 years until a sporting injury damaged my spine and I was offered early retirement, at 48, which I took. I was soon back in the courts though, doing free-lance work for local solicitors in the Crown Court.
When I moved from Nottingham to Reading I took up a job as a Court Recorder - known then as Shorthand writers, and had a team of 12. I continued this work after moving to Ipswich, Suffolk. I didn't really need the work, and I ran it down and then finished to concentrate on my other interests.
My family life is a little convoluted. Married at 20 to Gosport Anne, had 2 sons, married Rosemarie Anne and inherited a daughter, then married Irish Anne and inherited 2 lovely girls. The age gap proved too much, and I moved back to Nottingham. After a 2-year break, I got into a relationship with Jackie, who I shared a partnership with for 12 years. I'm now in Ontario, Canada, and living with AVRIL, my co-moderator on Boomer Beat, and we hope to marry soon.
Guess I've been busy...
I've had 2 discs and some bone removed from my spine; cut the end off my big toe with a lawn mower; burst both eardrums; have tinitus in both ears; had a triple heart by-pass last year; and now find I have emphysema. Apart from that, I'm fine, thank you !
My one big interest since childhood has been music. I have extensive notes which I call my Oracle, and am the proud owner of every UK No 1 since the charts began in 1952. I also have every chart, and over 19,000 titles.
My tastes are varied; I've attended 2 dozens operas; love jazz, country, skiffle, classical, but especially pop, and some rock, though not too heavy. Anything really - except Rap; that's not music, it's talking over synthesised stuff.
I used to write computer programmes, especially kids games, but I left it off for a couple of years, and progress overtook me so I no longer do that, though I understand computers.
I also enjoy modifying pictures - look out for the penguins on pics you will find inside - they're everywhere, you just need to look for them.
I used to do a fair bit of rambling/hiking until my lungs decided against it. I love the sea shores and river banks. I still get out, just not so far now.
My big break came when I was contacted by someone I knew from school 50 years ago - Avril/Georgygirl. She offered me a 'board' on her site, and I opened Bunts Corner (mainly music); we started Glaisdale United together; and she then offered me a 'partnership' in her baby - Boomer Beat.
I can get pretty serious about some things, but I'm told that I have a sense of humour, even if it is a little sharply honed at times. And if you join us and you are female - any age - expect me to call you one of the Boomer Babes!
Bunts (aka David Lever)