Anniversaries

Today is my wedding anniversary and this afternoon one of the lovely girls I taught at Skipton Girls’ High was married in the village church in Embsay. It doesn’t seem very long since she was sitting in my classroom! Today is a beautiful autumnal day but it was showery, cool and dull 39 years ago when I was married. The weather didn’t dampen our spirits though - Simon was terribly nervous and even signed the marriage certificate in the wrong place - I was very excited. Back then I had ginger hair and lots of freckles in the summer so a cream dress was a must, but in 1973 everyone wore white and choosing not to wear white had connotations. Since Thursday my hair has been temporarily (it will wash out in 12 weeks or so) restored to almost its former colour. I felt like a change.

Although Simon isn’t here to reminisce with me or make cheeky comments about my hair I haven’t felt sad all day, only grateful that we had so many adventures together and pleased that I have lots and lots of happy memories. We have a living legacy in the shape of our children and grandchildren who never fail to delight me (frustrate me too at times!) yet also remind me of the huge challenges of family life – hard work but so worthwhile.

Sorry I can't get this image to be the right way up! I think the sculpture could reflect the characteristics of a successful  marriage. If each pebble respresents one year we didn't manage to complete this arch. Constructing this must have needed a lot of patience and a knowledge of mathematics so on that basis I couldn't have done it.

Thank you to the friends who have remembered and sent messages. It seems very strange ngetting any anniversary cards although we didn’t usually get many but it’s still my wedding anniversary and  I appreciated the two pretty cards I received earlier this week. I have worn the heart shaped felt brooch Simon chose for me all day.  I joined his mum for a delicious lunch which she had made for us both. My contribution was fresh Scottish raspberries. I wonder how much longer they will be around as the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness gathers pace – yes I’m fan of Keats’ poetry.

I love having Grace at home although I don’t expect that it will be for very long. She has a final stage interview next week in London and if that doesn’t come to anything she will be making sure that there are other opportunities to go for. She is finding the Yorkshire weather a bit depressing and doesn’t like running in the rain so that has posed a few problems on most days.  Wearing new running shoes with a special insole to correct her flat footedness is working and she has already set up a Virgin Money Giving account to collect sponsorship for the MSA Trust when she runs in the London Marathon next year.  Here is the link if you would like to sponsor her www.virginmoneygiving.com/GraceRoodhouse

Just heard that Volume 5 of the Creative Industries Journal (CIJ - Simon was its Founding Editor) will include a celebration of Simon’s work. I’m looking forward to reading that because Simon considered each issue of the CIJ to have the potential to introduce new ideas, explore new areas and introduce new voices not previously heard so I am wondering  what will be said about his contribution to the Creative Industries.



Cornwall, Devon and the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, coastline, sandy beaches, green lanes, heather clad hills, all have been part of a wonderfully varied last three weeks.                            

Landscapes have always fascinated and intrigued me and introducing others to the special places on my doorstep is fun as is exploring new places. I’ve been able to do just that with some very special visitors from Australia, Simon’s brother Peter and his wife Angela who were not able to come to Simon’s funeral, and Simon’s school friend Per and his two daughters. Per tells me that we met in 1976 but I have no recollection of that visit possibly because I was busily occupied with a new first baby. With so much wonderful scenery on my doorstep it’s always a hard choice deciding where to walk and grouse shooting on the moor meant we were not able to walk up to Simon’s Seat (yes it’s the actual name of a hill that Simon used to love to climb) yesterday. Nevertheless plan B turned out to be just as lovely and the weather was perfect. Before our walk we (all Simon’s three siblings and their spouses and three of our special friends) had planted a mountain ash tree alongside Simon’s grave. Hopefully it will thrive and produce lots of red berries to feed the birds like the many we saw on our walk yesterday.

Amidst all the other excitement yesterday Grace arrived home from New York with four large suitcases plus hand luggage. She will hopefully soon have a job and be settled somewhere in England. It would be great if she could find something in Leeds but it is more likely that she will end up in London. She looks well and is already planning to start her training regime to run the London Marathon next year. She will be raising money for MSA and looking for sponsors. Her target is at least £2,000 to compenate in for the expected pain.

If you watch Wartime Farm this week on BBC1 at 8pm on Thursday you will see my son in a tweed suit and braces looking rather like his granddad. His book on the Black Market during World War 2 is due to be published in March. I feel sad when I think that Simon will not be able to read it. He heard so much about it and it has been a long time coming.