So there was I, feeling older than my grandfather’s old hat, tightly holding on to the limpest bunch of yellow chrysanthemums in one hand...

Gurnard, Isle of Wight 1956 A scattering of ancient holiday chalets and timber shingled bungalows hang like coloured beads, peeping out...

I have promised not to ring you I have promised not to call I will even supply the sticks and stones you need to build your wall Then,...

It’s been a long, long time, going nowhere Forever and so far away There has never been a moment to stop and dream Never thought I would...

At long last the stinging salt spray carried upon the wind abated It had determined an extraordinary clarity in its wake The gift of...

My formative years were spent mainly in the company of my mother. We lived together, in a small flat shared with a dozen or so similar...

I endeavoured to record the ethereal colours and words into a sketchbook that I kept beside my bed. Alas, within seconds of my awakening...

It is indeed a rare occasion when you are invited to a glittering 'First Night Spectacular' at the theatre, met within the foyer by the...

Beware the lady from Darlington Town for it would count as almost a sin Should you knock soft upon her door She would be bound to let you...

A Present From Aunt Norma Cowes Isle of Wight Some of the happiest moments I spent as a boy were Christmas holidays at my Grandmother’s...

I was sleeping, bending the night until I began to come true Lending the light for dreams that are left far into the near distance As...

Bernard Montreuil Naming the first male had become somewhat of a tradition in my mother’s family due to a mysterious promise, the rhyme...

Kent House Seventy years later East Cowes, Isle of Wight Although over seventy years ago the Isle of Wight had been my birthplace I felt...

They left behind the colourful stalls of the Saturday market. Air musty from the drums of local cheeses Tangy high notes of fruit and...

It was a usual summer Saturday the sun had come early turned to rain and returned bright and shining by the evening. Mid-summer extending...

Darkness was falling like a black veil Beyond the woodland landscape A ‘North Westerly’ squall was whipping up the Solent Lashing...

East Cowes, Isle of Wight 1957 From the fat black oven At number 9 Adelaide Grove Hilda prepares Sunday lunch Once down the garden from...

The sea was still nothing was moving The Solent is the colour of green bottle glass From Egypt Point to Osborne Bay, Nothing moved...

Oh! How I’d kiss the Miss that I miss Oh! How she would kiss me Oh! Would that I could Oh! But she’s not sure that she should And...

Crazy feeling Still alive Kicking up a storm Crash bang bitch talk Yes oh yes The sort of talk that I like when I have a mind Don’t you...