Tag: mum

My Mum had a clear out (Part 2)

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 3 Comments

It is finally here. No longer will you have to sit huddled in front of the screen eagerly clicking refresh. No longer will you have to stare at your Twitter timeline hoping for the update. No longer will you have sleepless nights. After the first episode just a few days ago, Part 2 of 'My Mum had a clear out' is here…

Just to recap my Mum gave me a load of stuff that she had collected over the years. There was a lot more but Mum had done a cull of items over the last couple of years. What we have left is a collection of 'stuff' that makes for interesting reading: school reports, school projects, old certificates, drawings and various other bits and pieces.

Being a teacher I was looking forward to seeing my old school reports. I've written a fair few about various 'little darlings' I have taught so was interested in what my teachers said about me. Below is just a flavour of what a 'fabulous' pupil I was.

First year primary school…class 1L….July 1978…..I think it works out year 3….

“Philip is making good progress…communicates well….his written work is beautifully presented….interesting and imaginative….tries hard.” The phrase, “written work is beautifully presented” made me smile because my handwriting is pretty atrocious. But my favourite part has to be this….

...enjoys learning new things...

Second year primary…class 2TW…July 1979….year 4…

“Philip is a very competent reader….methodical….natural aptitude…good positive attitude to school…very helpful in the class.” It all seems to be going very well so far.

Third year primary…class 6W…July 1980….year 5…

“Philip has made progress but not as much as I had hoped for….lack of concentration…easily distracted and readily talks for the remainder of the lesson…lacks imagination.” I think this teacher may have got me confused with someone else! Although I particularly like the following phrase….

...it wouldn't hurt to use a few adjectives...

Final year in primary…class 8B…July 1981….year 6….

Class 8B, Mrs Bickers, she is the only teacher I remember from primary school and from what I actually remember she was nice, so expecting a good report. “Philip has continued to make progress…his written work has matured…speaks well…pleasant responsible boy….I have enjoyed teaching him.” Glad to see I finished my primary education on a high. Although it is interesting that the head made a comment on the report, “He is still rather shy and quiet, I hope he will grow in confidence next year.”

What is also interesting is that there is not a level or grade in sight in any of the primary school reports. But as enter the world of secondary education that is all about to change. And in a cliffhanger style you will have to wait for the next part of 'My Mum had a clear out'…..

COMING SOON: SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORTS

 

My Mum had a clear out (Part 1)

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

Recently my Mum told me she was having a clear out and she had lots of stuff from when I was younger: old school reports, stuff I'd made and some Charlton bits and pieces. So it wasn't unexpected when I arrived at mum's the other day for her to hand me some 'stuff'. Loads of old school reports as well as 'projects' I'd done and some examples of my handiwork. But also some Charlton stuff.

I've been a Charlton Athletic fan for as long as I can remember. In the very distant past I remember my Dad taking me to watch Millwall – that was his team – but for me it was always Charlton. The scarf and hat have seen a fair few matches. When I was a 'cool' teenager I don't think the bobble hat would have seen the light of day too often, although today it is the height of fashion. During the 70s and 80s the scarf was a must wear. Everyone had one on. I'm not sure if the scarf is held as dear in today's 'must have a replica top' world. I was forever thankful of the scarf. The times when I was proud to show my colours: the 5-0 mauling of the mighty Manchester City in 1986 – how times have changed – it was the only match where I can ever remember singing 'we want six'. Or the times when it was used to hide my face: an apathetic performance against Cambridge United – they were then bottom of the league – resulting in a heavy 'home' defeat. I even remember a phase when I wore it tied around my wrist in a 'Showaddywaddy style'.

I think this may have been the first 'official' Charlton top I was given – although I'm not sure it was 'official' or even if such a thing as an 'official' kit existed. It may have just been purchased down the market, or from the club shop, but for me it didn't matter. It was Charlton. But as you can see I wore it out….

They say what goes around comes around. Never is that more true than in fashion. At school the lads all have these retro bags, and they don't believe that I once had a bag like that, and that I was actually 'cool'. Enough said….

Coming soon: My Mum had a clear out (Part 2) including old school reports and lots more.

 

Post-Party Juneathon Day 2

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 7 Comments

Last night was Mum's 70th Birthday Party, a fantastic evening of singing, dancing and chatting. So when I woke in a slightly delicate condition Juneathon was under threat because of far too many pints of Guinness and a late night sleeping on Mum's sofa.

Today's run was therefore a nice gentle jog in the sun at around lunchtime. A circular route of 4ish miles taking in some of the sights of the area. The Tarn was a favourite place to visit as kids to feed the ducks and run around the lake….

Today's mileage = 4.12

Total Juneathon mileage = 8.81

Mojo level = very high (despite a slightly hungover start to the day)

 

Juneathon Day One

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 2 Comments

We're off! Day 1 of Juneathon is well and truly complete!

If you are an avid reader of this amazing mediocre tedious blog you'll be aware that I'm in London for a few days to celebrate my Mum's 70th Birthday. Which began with yesterday's fabulous helicopter ride over London, read more here.

So as May came to a close the focus turned to Juneathon. Early thoughts were to begin Juneathon with a parkrun, this did not materialise because I woke up slightly too late. Therefore, the first day of Juneathon was to be completed pounding the streets of London. This has many pros and cons:

Pros

  • Concrete is everywhere – no problem with underfoot conditions
  • Roads are all massive – no single tracks to risk your life on
  • Houses everywhere – no problem with choosing a route
  • People everywhere – lots of people to say 'morning' too

Cons

  • Concrete everywhere – can make it a bit hard on your feet
  • Roads are all massive – therefore loads of cars, vans, buses, lorries, etc. making crossing roads a risky business
  • Houses everywhere – very easy to get lost – on more than one occasion I would 'nip down here' only to come out not quite where I had expected
  • People everywhere – the people I did say 'morning' too just looked at me with a blank expression

But it was quite enjoyable to be running somewhere slightly different, and I even managed the odd picture along the way in a bid to liven up the post.

This I couldn't resist….taking advantage of the green space and extending your garden, there are so many plastic ride on thingys that it looked like a branch of Toys R Us, although not sure what they would do if the council insisted that the trampoline be stored in the garden…

Also, as I was running along the 'Green Chain Walk' for a bit I crossed the railway line, this involved bounding up the steps in a 'Rocky' style and punching the air. No trains about, although I think engineering works were in 'progress' as I did spot a couple of fellas in fluorescent jackets leaning against the fence having a smoke….

Day 1 mileage = 4.69

Mojo level = very high

 

Whizzing across London in a helicopter!

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 5 Comments

Today was quite a day! We have reached about half-way through Mum's never-ending 70th Birthday celebrations….and today a helicopter ride over London. We've always said that London is the best city in the world, and Mum has certainly seen a few, but today just backs up that statement.

Arriving at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey, we were greeted by the friendly staff of EBG Helicopters, including Nick, our pilot for today. After a quick coffee and identification checks, including a safety briefing of: “don't stand on the rail thingys at the bottom”, we were off!

Once airborne the champagne was poured – it had been open prior to entering the helicopter as I'd imagine you don't really want a cork bouncing around in the cockpit. Travelling at 1200ft and 130mph we reached London in 9mins and were treated to some truly amazing sights. We followed the route of The Thames from Fulham and turned for home at Greenwich. Along the way we whizzed past various landmarks: Hampton Court, Wimbledon, Wembley, London Eye, Westminster, The Shard, The Gherkin, Canary Wharf and many many more.

A number of things strike you when you are up there: the amount of green spaces in London, the closeness of everything and the fact that London is indeed a fantastic looking city.

We all had a fantastic time, especially Mum who had wanted to do this for a long time. Happy Birthday!

 

 

I must confess…

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

….it has been three weeks since my last blog.

Quite a lot has happened in that time….

A trip to The Engine Shed in Lincoln to see the rather fabulous Lucy Rose. Since buying the album 'Like I Used To' I've been a fan….and when I heard she was to play Lincoln I was on it like a rat up a drainpipe.

Lucy Rose has been described as an English Suzanne Vega and been likened to Laura Marling…so what could go wrong? Nothing. The set was full of her own brand of acoustic folk/pop yet mixed with jazz-funk rhythm that cannot fail to entertain. Good gig – she's going to do well me thinks.

Next up was a trip to the ole smoke to see Frank Hamilton (again) at The Borderline. Although not the best gig of his I've been to, due in part to the big heffer standing in front of us who seemed intent on trying to step on the feet of everyone, complete with her ridiculous boyfriend who thought just because he had a big camera this gave him the right to be a complete arsehole. And what is it with girls in London and their stupidly huge handbags that that refuse to put down, they just hang around their elbows sticking them in you. Now I'm a Londoner and proud of it, but things have definitely changed.

But Frank himself was on top form, not the best set list he's every played, but he is slowly attracting more and more acclaim, I think 2013 is going to be a good year for the man.

There was also a very early, or should I say late, Christmas with my sister that I somehow remembered to blog about here.

School has been absolutely crazy: workshops, immersion days and so much exam prep that if my boys and girls don't pass I'm not sure what to do. This week we said goodbye to the Y11s…I've really enjoyed the last couple of years with my group, they've all done really well and developed into lovely young men and women over the years. I wish them all the luck for the future.

But half-term has finally arrived….a relaxing week in store with a few bits and pieces to do at home….mum's birthday party…Billy Bragg gig….and on the horizon we even have #juneathon. Oh crap!