Our 1989

Some reflections on 1989
This is a summary of what we were doing in 1989, written as a reflection from twenty-eight years later, and based on diaries and photographs from the time.

Peter work: Tony Jacklin as an unlikely environmental pollutant? But, there he was: high on a steep hillside in carboard-cut-out-advertising-format, as our coach passed the image on the way from a flight into Gibraltar, towards a work-software-conference in an upmarket Marbella hotel.

The continuing work in Moorfoot in Sheffield for the Training Agency is normally a stream of dull meetings interspersed with dull pieces of paper arriving in brown transit envelopes. One unepectedly had an invitation to Marbella, and Civil-Service-rules being what they are, the Training Agency paid for Peter, and we had to (pay for and) arrange separately for Elaine, with separate forms, letters, cheques: and the surprise was that we ended up in the same billet in Marbella. Then there was the "Partners' Programme" coach-tour that returned Elaine-less to the hotel, while she was just-finishing in some touristy inland-Spain shop.

Of all the strangeness in Gibraltar, it's shirtsleeved British Bobbies, the level-crossing barriers as aircraft land and take off, and the airport facilities about the size of Chesterfield Station which are the most memorable.

And there was another envelope with an invitation to a day watching the Ashes Test at Headingley. Work wasn't always like that. Didn't help England challenge 601-7d and from 284-4 they finished on 430 and eventually lost by 210 runs, with Merv Hughes taking four wickets in the match.

Elaine work: Driving to Rotherham for sorting out their sewers is the day job, and finishing the Diploma from Sheffield Hallam, which had its own ceremony in Sheffield City Hall. An opportunity to wear that gown from Southampton.

Iain: has transferred from Lydgate First School to the Middle School, and there is a complicated set of afternoon care-arrangements for him to remember: sometimes it's at Debbie's or Chris's and then sometimes with Jean. It all seems to hang together, with some holiday playschemes to occupy the holidays.

Having spent many years at the Ranmoor table being occupied with colouring or reading while the band rings, strength and height have arrived sufficiently to have a go: weekly lessons with Peter for an hour have produced good progress with bell-handling. Enthusiasm for it all might come later. Unlike the computer, which challenges reading for time-comsumption and bed-occupation. The sailing was a taster-session at an IWA event.

Canalling: A tripboat from a wet-May Bank Holiday in Little Venice to Camden Market with Peter's parents on the way to Hornchurch, and a week from Braunston at half-term around the Leicester Ring with Christine, Peter and family who look after Iain after school on Mondays. Then, also from Braunston on a camping boat a trip along the River Nene to Peterborough with Elaine's sister Anne and her helpmate Ian. Total of about 350 miles and 233 locks.

Ringing: Southampton University Guild of Change Ringers' Annual Dinner at the Dolphin Hotel, Southampton was followed the next weekend with the equivalent event for Shefiield (SUGCR2) for which Elaine's Hallam university course qualifies her for membership. Highlight of the Ranmoor ringing calendar was Andrew and Ruan's wedding for which the much of the band, and some visiting friends, is here, posing in the ringing chamber. Sonia, whom Peter taught to handle a bell, rang her first peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major with Peter on the Second. Sonia also rings handbells with us on a Sunday, and we have rung four quarter peals. Outings included Coventry.

Other outings: included the Mikado, Camelot. the World Snooker, Peveril Castle