Marsyl’s Musings
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I was sad to read in the local paper, recently, that Shirley (Stainer) had died. She sang with a choir in London and was a faithful eccentric contralto in the Shrub End Ladies, previously Townswomens Guild, choir, which Roderic conducted for ten years. She was a lovely person, much missed. (See her obituary by Jo Edwards)
This year's snow has reminded me of 1947, when we built an enormous snowman on the circle at the end of Wavell Avenue, aided by Bill Dent, footballer and headmaster. That was real snow, well over a foot deep. Then ,in 1963, I was teaching at Tiptree. Roads stayed clear, if a bit narrow, with drifts each side. I was at Manifold Wick, next to Tolleshunt Knights church. The farmer got transport of a sort up the lane, so along with other staff, all were in school. I don' remember school closures. Health and Safety hadn't been invented! Now, it's just pretty and I watch the birds feeding, from the comfort of a warm room. Roll on summer.
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Marsyl Knott, President
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