your letters
Our pick of your best letters, pictures & wise words…
A handy skill
A reason to write was an interesting article (issue 449) on how writing can improve memory and fine motor skills.
I’m 69 and have kept a diary since I was 20.
I love reading some of my old diaries realising how busy a lifestyle I had. My daughters love reading about their first day at school, day trips out and how life was so different.
I find writing every day is relaxing and thought provoking. Bring back handwriting in schools and at home.
Up, up and away… to A& E
I just wanted to share this picture of my son, Oscar, dressed as his hero Biggles, for World Book Day.
He made the plane himself, several months ago, using some big boxes left over from Christmas presents. Then, one morning in January, disaster struck. Oscar had been working on the plane, refusing to down tools, so that when bedtime arrived, he simply left it sprawled out in the living room ready to commence work again in the morning. But as he raced back over to start work, he caught his foot in the plane’s wing, tripped and hit his head on the living room steps, and we ended up in A&E!
Thankfully he has now recovered and was able to fly his plane, called March the 7th, into school for World Book Day! As you can imagine, it was quite an emotional moment! And I have to say, I think Biggles and his creator Captain W.E. Johns would be very proud of him.
STAR LETTER
✪ My friend Joan and I (both now in our 80s) have been close forever, living next door to each other in Dagenham. We were always together – holidays, parties, dancing – so much so that some neighbours weren’t even sure which of us was Joan and which was Mary! In 1963 we were chief bridesmaid at each other’s weddings and have seen our children grow up and have families of their own.
Four years ago (unbeknown to Joan and myself) my granddaughter Jade, and Joan’s granddaughter Caitlin, each applied to Essex University and were accepted on completely different courses. Although they knew of each other they had never met, but ended up working together on the same shifts at the university shop. It was only then that they realised the connection and became good friends. Last year they both graduated with first-class degrees and Joan with husband David, along with me and husband Roy, took Jade and Caitlin for a celebration lunch. You can imagine what proud grandparents we are.
Since graduating they have kept in touch, but we think it would still be hard for them to beat 80 years (and counting) of
