M.C. Newberry

DO YOU REMEMBER MY ENGLAND? - a re-post

by M.C. Newberry

Thursday 16th August 2018 7:05 pm

The former Labout big-wheel John Denham - now in academia - gave a speech recently about "English

identity" - rather timely when so many others are given so much publicity. And I wonder how many on

WOL have memories that go back as far as mine?

Do you remember my England?

When people said "How do you do?"

And most of them were folk you knew,

And everybody joined a queue...

I do!

Do you remember my England?

When people seemed to care and share,

And "barbers" used to cut your hair,

And your mother said "It's rude to stare"...

I do!

Do you remember my England?

When bobbies used to use their feet,

And something really nice was "neat",

And a gentleman gave up his seat...

i do!

Do you remember my England?

When "principle" was something fine,

And politicians would resign,

And spin went with a fishing line...

I do!

Do you remember my England?

When people slaved for not much pay

And promised their kids a better way,

Pinning their hopes upon today...

I do!

.........................................................................

🌷 (7)

◄ INSECTICIDE?

DOUBLE TALK ►

Comments

M.C. Newberry

Sun 2nd Sep 2018 15:55

Hi Brian - you may be right...although I think that individually many still try to behave responsibly and fairly
towards their fellows. It is likely that the pressures and
expectations today are producing a negative feeling that
things are worse than they are. I am content to live in hope
(from my own local dealings) that is the case. Glad you
enjoyed the trip to the past.

Brian Blanchard

Sun 2nd Sep 2018 15:44

I enjoyed this Mark...including the additions in the comments! It doesn't just apply to England...I believe much of society has lost a little courtesy and class.

M.C. Newberry

Fri 17th Aug 2018 16:30

Do you remember my England?
When a stay away at a nice hotel
With that "ring for attention" reception bell
Meant you were doing rather well...
I do!
Do you remember my England?
When post-war folk hardly holidayed abroad
Two weeks at the coast - at best half-board
Was what a working guest could afford...
I do!
Do you remember my England?
When owning a TV was something rare
And friends and neighbours came round to stare
At the black and white pictures on offer there...
I do!
JC - you are responsible for the
following -
Do you remember my England?
When life was often rough and tumble
And asked about things folk would mumble
As if embarrassed: Mustn't grumble...
I do!
(I could go on but....) ?

John Coopey

Thu 16th Aug 2018 22:36

Delightful postcard, MC.
And "Mustn't grumble".

<Deleted User> (18980)

Thu 16th Aug 2018 20:07

Mark - what a coincidence...I was just flicking through the channels and came across John Denham on the BBC Parliament channel 232 giving that speech.

M.C. Newberry

Thu 16th Aug 2018 19:09

Thanks, Kate.
Jennifer - your additions are welcome. In fact, I would
INVITE readers to add their own in like vein to enhance
the theme and keep us on the nostalgia trail to times
we used to know.
Taylor - like L.P Hartley tells us - the past is a foreign
country. They do things differently there.
Don - yes, I was seven - at a boarding school and remember
the big thing that was made of the event at the time.

Don Matthews

Thu 16th Aug 2018 15:11

Do you remember the Festival
Of Britain in year 51 ?
On the banks of the Thames there in London
I was there, it was so much great fun

I remember MC, I was just 5

The Skylon which pencilled the sky
And Battersea Park, all the rides
Such fun for a 5 year old boy
Enjoyment and fun, far and wide

I remember it well MC

The buses had British conductors
Who sold you a real paper ticket
And punched a hole into a number
(Ah MC I remember it well...)

I still have these punched paper bus tickets...?

Taylor Crowshaw

Thu 16th Aug 2018 14:46

I do M.C. lovely poem.
?

jennifer Malden

Thu 16th Aug 2018 14:08

Lovely!

Do you remember my England?
When a church was not an empty void
our films were shown on celluoid
and few for long went unemployed?
I do!

Do you remember my England?
Where old soldiers never died
buttonholes in streets were plied
and paperboys their journals cried?
I do!
Jennifer

<Deleted User> (19913)

Thu 16th Aug 2018 13:54

Clever and nostalgic. ?

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

Please consider supporting us

Donations from our supporters are essential to keep Write Out Loud going

Bringing poetry to people

Click here to donate now