Category Archives: Autobiography

Yes Doctor, no Doctor, three bags full Doctor

Posted on January 9, 2019 by odeboyz

I’ve been confined in hospital just five times in the last fifty years. Firstly in Hackney’s German hospital, then Hackney General followed by Romford’s Oldchurch. My final hospitalisation was in the new Queen’s  Hospital, Romford. As a consequence, I’ve made … Continue reading →

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Poison in a round tin

Posted on December 19, 2018 by odeboyz

In 1963, I’d begun my plumbing apprenticeship and was working on a building site at Waltham Cross. My boss, Tony, told me that I was going to join the six rainwater stacks into the earthenware drains using a product called … Continue reading →

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Hackney DLO

Posted on December 5, 2018 by odeboyz

In 1965 I was employed by the Hackney Direct Labour Organisation (DLO). I enjoyed being one of their plumbers. It wasn’t a prestigious position but aged twenty one I only wanted a steady reliable income. The talk in the building … Continue reading →

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The Nags Head, Covent Garden

Posted on November 8, 2018 by odeboyz

In early November 2018 my wife’s uncle came over from Canada. He’d emigrated 54 years ago and obviously was very much ‘Canadian’. He wanted a family day out with Jan, my wife, me and Jan’s sister and her husband. He … Continue reading →

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Politics today

Posted on October 25, 2018 by odeboyz

People might be forgiven for thinking the world is going to hell in a hand cart. Just what has happened to compassion, kindness, sympathy? Perhaps, before  Donald Trump carries out his threat, to cut millions of dollars in aid, because … Continue reading →

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A plumbing lesson at Sir Philip Magnus School in 1960

Posted on October 10, 2018 by odeboyz

I attended this school from the age of eleven until sixteen (1955–1960). It was a very good school with its students split into two streams: a) for academics and b) for building trades). I was in the ‘b’ stream. My … Continue reading →

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Rodin’s the Thinker: or was it called the dreamer

Posted on September 27, 2018 by odeboyz

Back in the mid to late 50s, our teachers only addressed us children by our surnames or more usually as ‘You boy’, or, ‘You Girl’. I’m afraid on many occasions I was told “You boy, pay attention and stop your … Continue reading →

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Exploitation of public assets by London Borough of Havering, 2018

Posted on September 13, 2018 by odeboyz

This year (2018) our local Harrow Lodge Park was subjected to two hideous instances of corporate exploitation. The flats can be viewed as luxurious, they are spaciously built to “Parker Morris” standards and with an envious view over the park … Continue reading →

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The Isle of Wight

Posted on September 10, 2018 by odeboyz

Up by six, out by seven A two hour drive South Though the ‘New Forest’ It’s verdant green, still seems pristine Hedge-row flowers Created as nature’s, florist. We meet the others at the ferry The children, bright eyed Impatient to … Continue reading →

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1951 – Cherry Pie

Posted on July 23, 2018 by odeboyz

Replete with dinner, just eaten Mum brought a golden pie in from the kitchen The jug of custard quickly followed, “Be careful, the cherries have stones Just leave them round the side of your dish”. Soon after we, three boys, … Continue reading →

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