Family Matters

A day spent up to my elbows in family memorabilia, old photos, certificates and diplomas, and other paraphernalia - even clothes - amassed over the years.  When we lost Dad in 2014 I did a major sort, but stored a lot of things, too upset at the time to make significant decisions and lose his precious things as well as him. I am now trying to reduce the volume and be more realistic about what it is interesting and important to keep, versus an immersion in nostalgia and other people's treasures and memories.  There are a lot of photographs and I only will keep those of family members and memorable moments. For example, the two photos today that are of my maternal grandfather at work,  I'm guessing c1950? He was chief electrical engineer at White City Stadium, London from 1947 until his retirement in 1965.  Often to be seen in the middle of the athletics track on a Saturday afternoon's sport BBC TV coverage, I used to watch and would yell out "grandad" if I saw him and sometimes he took me with him where I was fascinated by all that I saw. I even have vague memories of watching the greyhound racing there.  His White City photo collection includes autographed sportsmen of the day and major events such as the annual International Horse Show. A highly skilled man of integrity, dedicated to his work, as vouchsafed by various testimonials and thank you letters I have found, he was also an adoring grandfather to his precious and rather precocious granddaughter. 

White City stadium was built in 1908 for the summer Olympics it hosted the finish of the first modern marathon and other sports like swimming, speedway, boxing, show jumping, athletics, stock car racing, concerts and a match at the 1966 World Cup. From 1927 it was a venue for greyhound racing, hosting the English Greyhound Derby until its closure in 1984. The stadium was demolished in 1985 and the site is now occupied by White City Place. (Wikipedia) 

Whilst this revelry in times gone by was filling my day, my poor bro was in the bedroom trying to assemble the wardrobe I bought a few weeks ago. Seriously not a task for a man alone, in the end, he had to abandon it until such time as help, in the form of Ralph, is able to come and help. So, I cooked us a huge dinner and we settled in front of TV for a couple of hours instead and this was my day, other than going with my niece briefly to Hobbycraft to get the canvasses and acrylic paints she needs for her A level art final project. 

A day of family and at times, overwhelmingly so - a reminder, if I needed one, that Family Matters.

3rd February - today I found a newspaper clipping of Grandad in the background of a photo from 1951 (I think) of Roger Bannister, athlete who, went on in 1954, to break the world record four minute mile, and well, I just have to add it here!!