Getting ready to celebrate two very important anniversaries
FORMER Echo editor John Rippin, aged 80, and his wife, Rosemary, 74, have both been cheered up by chats in the open air. And, in his ninth article since the lockdown started, John tells how he is getting set to celebrate two important anniversaries.
ROSEMARY and I have been making a special effort to count our blessings – and not only because of the many hours in May that we spent relaxing in the sun in our back garden.
We are delighted that, thanks to the easing of the lockdown rules, we have been able to enjoy face-to-face chats with our son, James, and elder daughter, Mel.
It seems that life in the UK is inching back towards normal. No doubt there’ll be hiccups along the way. But perhaps the end is in sight, even if it’s still a long way off.
We’ve met James and Mel out of doors, seeing them separately, of course. Now we are hoping it won’t be long before they are able to visit our house.
Unfortunately, our younger daughter, Charlotte, lives too far away for her to come here to chat in the park. So we are continuing to talk to her via Zoom.
We are very proud that Charlotte recently completed her studies to become a qualified counsellor. She is so good at understanding people’s problems that I am sure she will have a lot of work when things get back to normal.
When the crowds return to the town centres – assuming that they ever will – how long will it be before the over-70s can safely visit their favourite shops…and the hairdresser?
MENACES.
My walks in Watermead Country Park on busy days have often been scary recently - due to the behaviour of a thoughtless minority of cyclists.
I must make clear I think it’s great that, since the lockdown started, there has been a big increase in two-wheel users. It’s an excellent form of exercise and I used to cycle myself until a few years ago.
Most of the large numbers of cyclists who use Watermead are polite and say a cheery “thank you” when you step aside for them to pass. But there a few menaces who approach at speed from behind and do not give any warning. If you change course even slightly you risk being rammed in the back. So it’s essential to keep turning round.
I have seen lines of six riders in flashy gear travelling closely together at a frightening pace. It’s clear they have no intention of stopping unless the path is completely blocked. There is all the difference in the world between the madcaps and the normal cyclists, especially family groups, who ride thoughtfully and carefully.
The speed merchants have every right to enjoy their hobby. The trouble is that busy, narrow paths in a country park are unsuitable for the way they want to travel. For years people walking in Watermead have been endangered by inconsiderate cyclists. But there are now many more examples of careless riding.
Before I checked this article I found that, at long last, a notice has been put up in Watermead asking cyclists to “be considerate of others.”
ANNIVERSARIES.
Two important anniversaries are on the way for me. Within the next few weeks I will celebrate my 81st birthday – followed by the 65th anniversary of the day I started work at the Loughborough and Shepshed Echo.
Because of the lockdown rules I have had a lot more time to spend thinking about both milestones.
It seems like only yesterday that on a sunny summer morning I walked the short distance from my home in Toothill Road to the Echo’s old premises in Swan Street. I entered the advert reception and stationery shop, proudly told a lady behind the counter that I was the new trainee reporter and was led up a creaky flight of stairs to the editorial offices.
I was given a warm welcome by the editor, pipe-smoking Charles Harriss, chief reporter Les Kirk and sports editor Peter Harriss, Charles’s son. I was smartly dressed in a new blazer, white shirt with tie, and grey trousers and thought that on my first day I would report on something exciting such as a major fire or robbery.
Instead I was told I would be responsible for the “office graveyard.” This was not the place where ex-members of staff were laid to rest. It was the name given to the editorial filing system, which consisted of a stack of small drawers. Each week every story that might be needed for future reference was supposed to be cut out of the latest issue of the paper and filed.
But I found that none of this work had been done for months, so there was a pile of newspapers to go through. It took me weeks, on and off, to get up to date. It was mainly tedious work. But my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I looked at old cuttings that were already in the system. Some of the crimes committed by prominent local people astonished me. When I mentioned this to Les he said: “When you’ve done this job for a few years nothing will surprise you.”
Besides the filing, I wrote stories on weddings and cricket matches, using information that had been sent in. Mr Harriss told me that if I ever had nothing to do I should study newspaper law for journalists – and handed me a thick book.
The day eventually arrived when I was given my first assignment. I cycled to Woodhouse Eaves on my green racing cycle to report on a sale a few children were holding in a front garden to raise money for the RSPCA. I took loads of notes and, when I returned to the office, wrote a 600-word story – which was rapidly reduced to two paragraphs by the editor’s pen. There was a steep learning curve.
BAD BUY.
The block paving on our front drive must rank as one of our worst-ever buys. When the paving was laid 15 years ago we thought it would always look good. Silly us. These days it is difficult to make it even look presentable. Jet-washing improves it a bit.
But the surface soon becomes shabby again – and weeds reappear between the cracks as if by magic.
Now I wish the drive was covered in good quality tarmac. Or, better still, we should have chosen a coloured concrete with a pattern on it. Several drives in our area have had this treatment and it seems to wear better.
Unfortunately, at our ages, it would not be sensible for us to pay for the work to be done again. In any event, there are jobs around the house that are more urgent.