I wanted to share a small memory from the early 1970s. I was 14 at the time, not a particularly popular girl at school, and home life was quite modest. I didn’t have much and often felt a bit on the outside of things.
But in October 1973, our school did a sponsored walk. It was 20 miles, most of the day, and for once I felt part of something. I’d worked hard to collect signatures and donations, and I remember feeling genuinely proud that I’d made a difference. The weather was beautiful and I do remember a soft, golden autumn light you sometimes get at that time of year.
We walked past the house of our home economics teacher, Mrs Rosemary Naish, and she came out to give us drinks. It was such a small gesture, which was very welcome! Someone had a radio, and we sang along to the songs that were playing, which were Joybringer, Ballroom Blitz, Rock On, Oh No Not My Baby. Even now, when I hear them, I’m right back there.
It’s one of the few really happy memories I have from school. Every year, around early October, I still walk a little bit of that route and have a pub lunch nearby, just to remember that day and that feeling of belonging.