A Lad from Featherstone

  Has a wikipedia page A bit more about my dad, wiki page even. Part 1: 1930 – 1953. Like many surrounding areas, Featherstone grew around coal mining. Coal had been mined at Featherstone since the 13th century and remains of bell pits can still be seen to the north of Park Lane at North Featherstone. In 1848, the opening of the Wakefield, Pontefract and Goole railway line through Featherstone provided the basis for large scale coal mining in Featherstone, by opening up new markets in the South of England and Europe. Featherstone Main Colliery was opened in 1866, followed by Ackton Hall Colliery in 1873 Wallace Lambert and wife Mary give birth to their first child, Clifford, on 30 th January 1930. In 1937 Wallace joins Acton Hall Colliery and the family – two younger sisters – move into a two up two down home at 9 Robins Terrace Featherstone. No hot water, tin bath on the wall outside and a loo in the yard. It was rough and tough. Robbins Terrace VE day.  VE day party bac...

   Browns Amusements Bridlington 1970 In part 9 . Colin (Slam junior) finally made it to grammar school and then took a rollercoaster ride to England schools rugby and AAA  bronze medal at 100 & 200m, by the summer of 1970.  His first job in beatiful Bridlington,  Browns [now Forum] amusements and the loss of his virginity. Plus, learn some of lifes important lessons to follow. Colin never learns; still work in progess. LOL. Rag 'n' Bone Man [Human 2017] ‘I'm only human, I make mistakes, I'm only human, I do what I can, I'm just a man, I do what I can. Don't put the blame on me’ I’m only human after all.   I remember the Rag-and-Bone Man in Station Lane Featherstone , he used to shout, ‘any old iron, any old iron’ and sat on a cart, with a horse.  Don't put your blame on me…   Summer 1970 , I am 16, my first proper job; Browns amusement arcade, the biggest in Bridlington. It spanned two streets, the Promenade and the Esplanade. I worked a seve...

  In Part 8. Colin gets a second chance to sit the Normanton Grammar school entrance exams by coming second in the North Featherston secondary modern school 1st year exams. Phew, that was close. Friday 30th December 1965. Colin took his grammar school entrance exam early December and nothing has been heard.  He has spent a very unhappy Christmas, feeling lost, no interest in rugby and just fed up as back to North Featherstone secondary modern next week.  He is talking to himself, I listen, ‘You are a total idiot, what made you write some fantasy bollocks about a boat trip to London, anyone with half a brain, which clearly you don’t have, will see you made the whole lot up'. The horror, of throwing away his golden chance hit’s Colin as the clunk sound of brass on brass rattles the letter box; end of hallway bottom of stairs to right, babysitter room to left,  a letter lands on the floor, mum and I stare at it, Mr C W Lambert, 17 Alexander Road, Featherstone, is typed ...

Om, to my daughter Emily.  She said, 'WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY'. and gave me the book  by Ann Garthorp in 2010 Page 164 ‘…there is only one thing that makes the reader turn the page -curiosity. In other words, they want to know what happens next.’  How about this for a start: 'I remember running my hand over her thigh and feeling the flesh above her stockings. I didn't know it was abuse.  I did know it was all my fault' New Year’s Eve 1962 , at home on the sofa in my pyjamas, feeling unwell with flu.  I was trying to play the guitar Santa had delivered for Christmas.  Sister Mandy is 18 months old and my 3 and 5 year old brothers are all sleeping upstairs. She was not our normal babysitter, 15 years old, in the final year of the senior school and as it was New Year’s Eve must have been a last minute replacement.  She had clearly been on her way to a party; heels, stockings and the rest. This girl was in bloke speak ‘hot to trot’.  Someone had spoiled...