Anyone who remembers me from the Beenham Lodge Boys Home Days will remember that I was pretty fanatical about listening to as much Music as I could possibly cram into a day.
It was the days of the Radio London and Radio Caroline Pirate Ships who were playing 'Simply The Best!' Music available at the time and I couldn't bear to miss 'any' of the latest releases so I had a brilliant transistor radio, it was a bright red 'Sobell' that brought me more joy than I care to remember.
I would take it everywhere with me (Except School) along with my single headphone (Pre-Stereo of course) and submerse myself into a more realistic world as far as I was concerned. I always volunteered to do as many Solo Projects as possible, from Gardening, Shoe cleaning, Painting/Repairing old furniture in the workshop below the Playroom, and any other activity that meant I could get to listen to my favourite Radio Stations.
When I couldn't get on any of these jobs I'd lock myself away in the conservatory at the back of the house to 'Cogitate and Contemplate' as Mr Usher used to say. I think he was a bit concerned about me doing this because one day he got one of the lads; 'Peter Worcester' to come into the conservatory while I was there to 'practice' his Tuba. ......... I wasn't best pleased and a thumping ensued which almost got my treasured Radio confiscated. However, I think Mr Usher realised that it was 'He' that had provoked the outburst and it was soon forgotten (and it never happened again).
After leaving Beenham Lodge I remained obsessed with music and all through my working life, I just 'had' to have the radio playing the latest music + a good dose of the 'Oldies' to keep me motivated. I used to get called 'The Pop-Master' because I had such an Encyclopedic memory for music facts and figures.
Sadly, that's all evaporated over the last ten years or so, along with most of my memories. Not Good, which is why I'm writing them down in various blogs before they've 'gone' forever.
Don't forget to share your 'own' memories in the Comments below, and of course 'share' this on your preferred Social Media platform.
Cheers .... Fred :-)
