STARS OF THE SMALL SILVER SCREEN

Being  lucky enough to live with my own harshest critic when his latest review hinted that sometimes my column makes me sound “a bit dictatorial....like Hitler “ I’ve got to be honest it stung . So I decided for a change I’d let you all see that the girl from the neck down is not just the hardnosed harridan she is possibly perceived to be.

Contrary to what my column and blog persona might lead people to think, I’m not a moaning Minnie ice queen but a sentimental squishy old sort and none more so than when I’m presented with anything that makes me reminisce about my childhood.

And so it was that this weekend after a clear out of the last few things at my grandparents former home, my brother dropped off a bag of stuff that had been destined for the tip had I not intervened.

This bag sat for years in a storage cupboard unopened and forgotten but what was inside is like treasure to me.

For like Bagpuss’ shop this bag contains memories that were once lost and with the aid of technology can now be found. The bounty that has been hidden away for so long, my granddad Sid’s cine films of our family.

There we all are in jerky Technicolor silent film glory, christenings, weddings and holidays from days gone by documented in time on reels of 8mm film.

Day trips to the seaside, Whitstable to visit Uncle Dan and Auntie Doris, the highlight of the day being to roll down their massive sloping garden . Herne bay to go roller-skating at the Pavilion and Margate for the amusement arcades and beach.

Excursions to Knole and Mote Park in the wine coloured Austin Maxi. My brother Glenn’s special day as a Gills mascot, a silver jubilee party at the house where i was born and best of all the annual family caravan holiday to Swalecliffe. Two weeks of the summer holidays spent whiling the time away learning to swim at the beach and ‘sailing’ in a brown and yellow blow up dinghy.

And in amongst this cornucopia of memories, a film of all four grandparents before old age and other ailments made you realise they weren’t quite as invincible as you always thought they would be.

Granddad Jim, the war hero who would do anything for you , Nanna Lan and her no nonsense attitude to what life threw at her , Nanna Joyce from whom i inherited my love of a bargain and who was recycling her rubbish long before the council gave you a special bin to do it in.

And Granddad Sid, the great big bear hug of a man who’s unwavering belief in me inspired me to change my life once he lost his.

 Gone now, these stars of the small silver projector screen but they’ll always live on in moving pictures and my heart.

 

GIRL FROM THE NECK DOWN COLUMN - MEDWAY MESSENGER