Category Archives: Autobiography

Goodbye to PETRA

Posted on September 18, 2015 by odeboyz

After seventeen years of developing and nurturing PETRA – our Tenant Management Organisation I set up all those years ago with Jan (my wife) and four others who jumped ship about seven years ago, I feel it is now time … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, housing, local politics, tenants rights | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mornington Crescent

Posted on September 4, 2015 by odeboyz

“I’m sorry – I’ll read that again, or I’m sorry I haven’t a clue” the popular radio programme chaired for years, by Humphry Lyttleton, had been running for decades. I never did find out the rules to the panellists starting … Continue reading →

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A celebrity ‘empathising’ with poverty

Posted on August 25, 2015 by odeboyz

“Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff.” Mariah Carey … Continue reading →

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Revisiting old memories

Posted on August 14, 2015 by odeboyz

Just on a whim, the other day I decided to revisit the place in Islington North London, where I and my family lived from the late forties to the mid sixties. A tedious tube journey mostly on the District line … Continue reading →

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Housing in the mid 70s

Posted on July 30, 2015 by odeboyz

Raised in Islington until in my early 20s, as young man in those days, I met a girl, a very pretty girl, and fell madly in love. How fickle she turned out to be? When she told me I was … Continue reading →

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Evacuee

Posted on July 28, 2015 by odeboyz

They sent me away – “To be safe” they said. My mother’s gone; maybe she’s dead. My dad’s a soldier fighting in the war. Perhaps  I’ll not see my brother any more. I am alone with a stranger who says … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Learning to negotiate

Posted on July 17, 2015 by odeboyz

About fifty years ago, following my stint as the plumbers shop steward whilst working for Hackney Council. I was elected as the officers Convenor Steward under the auspices of the then huge union NALGO (National Association of Local Government Officers). To … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Junk Drawer

Posted on July 3, 2015 by odeboyz

I don’t know about you but when I’m not sure where to keep some small objects, they tend to end up in my junk drawer. Over time, (and I do mean years) that drawer refuses to shut tight, as normally … Continue reading →

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What A Great Day

Posted on June 18, 2015 by odeboyz

Made all the better with sunshine and a gentle breeze we, my good friends Mick and Chris, set off up the A12 towards Chelmsford City race track. Chris driving, (as ebullient as ever) managed to doubt his navigation, so we … Continue reading →

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Housing

Posted on June 5, 2015 by odeboyz

1972  to 1990 Note: All names  have been changed to save rows and recriminations. I had been married to Angela for eighteen years and thought we had a good life together, but out of the blue one Saturday, a mutual … Continue reading →

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