MARION SPENCER MEMORIES FROM FAMILY FILES

the time off work following my second knee operation gave me plenty of space to get some scanning of archives done and now i can start to put it all together, this was Marion my adopted mother in 1940s

at the end of the 70s she paid a visit to her eldest sister who had emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, she did this article for the SEGAS accounts newsletter

another SEGAS article about the amount of gas gadgets she had

staying with SEGAS, this one covers an office move and was by amazing coincidence in the same edition as an article on my friend Tim Bubb and his Guy special GS bus.

Last night was the Clonter opera prize, yet again I picked the overall winner which was also the audiences choice, despite the name, Natalya Romaniw hails from Swansea in South Wales. It was a close call all around with a very consistent effort from all entrants. As usual great company although the catering was below usual standard ( the chicken looked good though).

Back to work tomorrow, did you participate in the big garden bird watch this weekend, I cleaned out our extra long feeder which I finally rediscovered after falling into autumn debris at the bottom of the garden.

LEVER GALLERY PORT SUNLIGHT

today we visited the Lever Gallery at Port Sunlight, Mandy had been before but I'd never been around the gallery, well worth a trip there, nice cafe underneath and the village was stunning in the winter sunlight.

We've just confirmed our plans for Easter, back to usual Scottish theme with trucks Thurs 1st April, Edinburgh and Glasgow 2nd ( Good Friday) then up to Kilronan House Hotel ( best on the island) on Mull for Saturday and Sunday nights. Back down home on Easter Monday.

SUSSEX YEOMANRY BAND

George's certificate of service with the territorial Army which followed on from his professional army career which had started 1931.


some scenes of my father George Spencer at 1960s TA camp with Sussex Yeomanry band in the 1960s

this was a coach holiday to Scotland our last as a family, holidays were rare as we were quite poor.

its big garden birdwatch weekend, nothing spectacular in our garden other than the biggest flock of collared doves we have seen eating the peanuts on the lawn.

Still waiting for new editing suite, expected Tuesday so all quiet on the DVD production front likewise Youtube although I note that the last Russian tram films are getting big hits, the overall advert click rate is picking up nicely again.

Our friend Sue is due up today and we are off to Clonter opera Farm's annual competition night for young singers this evening.

SOME MORE SPENCER FAMILY ARCHIVE PHOTOS

This one is George Spencer my father at Waller TA Camp 1964

My mother Marion in nursing Auxiliary uniform late 60s

Marion's war time clothing coupon book

This article from 1964 on Marion's penchant for gas appliances

and what about this one from circa 1968, me about 18yo from passport photo booth shots, Mandy said it was best kept secret but I'm game for a laugh

Big Garden Birdwatch weekend coming up in UK, a reminder.

The editing suite won't be ready until early next week. Went swimming to exercise my knee, swelling well down now, a sunny day, went shopping with Mandy, banking etc. Helped out George from Three Greyhounds with his brothers navy service and death in 1941 on HMS Orion. Quite a lot on Internet for him.

POSSIBLE DELAYS IN EDITING EQUIPMENT

Dalhousie then India, another selection from my father George Spencer's photos in India with 1st Batt Kings Liverpol Regt in the 30s to early 40s.

yes even the band had local competition!

went into work today for apprentices reviews then up to Pendlebury to drop off George's mouth pieces to be silvered , took a bit to find the place in an old pub, the bar is now the counter.

Siren technology advised possible delay on new computer set up, was going to collect Friday pm, may still happen, got to check at lunch time.

I'm using my free time to scan some more old family pictures.

Thursday night so should be the Three Greyhounds, I expect it will be!

MORE MANCHESTER BUSES JAN 2010

some more scenes from Manchester yesterday morning, today I got over to Leicester which should go down well with the local enthusiasts who have been badgering me to do it again for a while. Overcast but dry and quite bright but wet on the way home. out tonight at cousin Trish and Derek's in Sale, Manchester, hopefully after the football traffic has passed through.

two 'new' types of Magic Bus Stagecoach in new livery

Good news is that the new editing suite is on test at Siren and will be available to pick up on Friday, tutorial there at 2pm.

All orders up to date and I'm getting covers done for programmes which I'll need to catch up on.

The knee is much improved, on anti inflammatories and pain killers plus exercises.

MANCHESTER THIS MORNING NEW TRAMS

Yes I made it into Manchester this morning, cold but brightish, I think there were three new trams in service on the Altrincham to Bury direct service. Also new livery and 'new' buses on the Magicbus operation of Stagecoach, their low cost unit in Manchester.

THE MAGIC OF BIRMINGHAM BUSES

if you are in Birmingham city centre on a Saturday you'll often find there are several fellow bus enthusiasts around, that was certainly the case last Saturday, these shots give some indication of the variety on offer, both operators, liveries and types.

all orders are up todate, as ever now waiting for the new editing suite. Meanwhile some 'proper' work to get on with although I might manage a small trip out this morning. Heard from my penpal Li in China where they are getting ready for New Year.

HICCUP ON COMPUTER THUS A MISSING DAY

yes my Internet Explorer crashed as did my photo editing programme, the PC Doctor from Northwich attended and fixed it all, took a fair while to suss it out but got there in the end. He also put some new temp RAM in the editing computer so I can save my files before it goes for scrap. Tried rebooting Windows but this required speaking to Microsoft CSR ( short for crappy sod response), I wouldn't ever want to try to talk to them again, not the India I know - more like dealing with Wolverhampton.

anyway obviously we wouldn't wish anyone injured ever but if some weird guy in a funny head-dress wanted to blow something up Microsoft must be a good starting point. Anyway back with Birmingham on Saturday where everyone was very friendly.

Today I went to have my stitches removed and then on to physio and then on to the office, the whole day seemed to go very slowly and it was dark by the time we got home so just catching up on a few jobs. Still waiting to hear delivery date on new editing suite, mean time I'll get the covers prepared for the next round of films which will be when the machine arrives.

Yesterday afternoon we went to a brass band concert, Brighouse & Rastrick at the RNCM in Manchester, very nice it was , the first I've been to in many a long year, Mandy said she enjoyed it!

WOLVERHAMPTON NOT SO FRIENDLY

Got down to Birmingham and Wolverhampton today, legs a bit tired after all that and with a breeze it was terribly cold, my hands were so numb I couldn't answer the phone when Mandy called. Football crowds at both locations which wasn't pleasant. These scenes in Wolverhampton, it's not all TWM Nat Express by any means. At least two new operators since I was last in Birmingham. Used my official permit at Wolverhampton to consternation of staff who obviously had never seen one before!

Wolverhampton came out bottom or top if you prefer as one of Britain's most awful places to live, today confirmed it's status. Previously mitigated by it's friendly people it seems to be descending to the usual aggravation of everywhere, hell couldn't be as bad as this place could it.

There are now 6 programmes awaiting editing when the new suite arrives next week. A trickle of orders to tackle and some work proper to do this evening. Tomorrow afternoon we are off to RNCM at Manchester for the Brass festival, a Brighouse and Rastrick concert.

TRUNK ROAD TO WALES

yes here are a few shots from my first lengthy journey out after the knee operation , taken between Ross and Monmouth, very busy truck action

I have to call in at work today as we have an important meeting, the knee is still very stiff but walking is slightly easier. Last night we retreated to the three Greyhounds where their boiler still needs fixing by the brewery hence everyone is still sat around calor stoves. I've started working through the last of George my father's Indian photo albums, everything scanned but need to trim and adjust pictures from last volume. I've finally downloaded the army request for info forms, very user unfriendly site thouigh. I need to attach George's death cert, not sure if i have it.

Still in doldrums regarding wait for new editing suite hence no news but plenty of masters piling up for editing.