May 14, 2026

 

 

The unearthly sound of clanging.

The smash of broken glass.

The screech of hydraulic brakes,

as refuse vehicles pass.

 

The monday morning rush hour,

with drivers half asleep.

The last minute traffic light jumpers,

and horns going beep, beep, beep.

 

The wail of police car sirens,

so early in the day,

thundering down the lane,

keeping crime at bay.

 

The children being dropped off at school,

not one of them on foot.

No two days ever the same,

No chance of getting in a rut.

 

The rattle of shop shutters,

as the town begins another day.

The shower, so unexpected,

only adding to the affray.

 

The delivery of food produce,

to all the many hotels.

And laundry vans clogging up the streets,

as the rain shower puddle swells.

 

And pot holes, big and plentiful,

playing havoc with car springs.

And ice cream parlours opening up.

oh, what joy each flavour brings.

 

And outdoor tables and chairs assembled,

for wine and coffee sippers.

With pavements so uneven,

bringing a whole new meaning to ‘day trippers’.

 

And dog walkers out in force.

Each one with pets so cute.

Who enjoy every second,

of their daily, well travelled route.

 

And many groups of tourists,

who have come from far and wide,

and always at the helm,

with an umbrella, is their guide.

 

So whether you come to people watch,

or to enjoy a baguette with cheese and ham,

or to throw caution to the wind,

and indulge in a cream tea with scones and jam,

 

You will find the buzz and excitement,

of not knowing what the day may bring.

Despite it’s hic-cups and incidents,

will always make the heart sing.

 

 

 

 

March 13, 2026

 

 

She is always with you

wherever you go.

On the darkest of days

when rain turns to snow.

 

When you’re feeling lonesome

and downbeat and low,

she is watching over you,

and this you should know.

 

She is always with you.

Every  heartbeat she hears.

She’s your guidance and comforter,

until morning appears.

 

When you’re unsure and uncertain,

and your mind’s full of fears.

Her presence you’ll feel,

gently mopping your tears.

 

She is always with you,

through the toughest of tasks.

Her faith in you never falters,

so fulfill all her asks.

 

When you’re wondering what’s the point,

and hiding behind a mask.

She will stay right there with you,

until once more, in sunshine, you bask.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 26, 2023

 

 

Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls

and Liquorice  Sticks.

Five Boys Chocolate

and Jelly Babies Mix.

 

Mivvi’s and Jubbly’s

and Hollands Penny Arrow Bars.

Sherbet Lemons and Pear Drops,

bottled in screw top jars.

 

Washing up liquid –

the best was Fairy.

A bus ride to Heywood

to visit Auntie Mary.

 

Tinned fruit by Del-Monte

with Carnation milk – Wow!

Cadbury’s Eggs at Easter

and still a favourite now.

 

Omo and Rinso

and Sunlight soap.

Persil and Acdo,

and soap on a rope.

 

Weston’s Wagon Wheels

and Jammy Dodgers.

Halls Mentho-Lyptus mints

and policemen for lodgers!

 

Chivers Marmalade

and Hartley’s Jam.

Though Robertsons the best,

used to say my Mam.

 

Knights Castille soap,

that removed dirt with ease.

Along with Lux and Camay,

and Palmolive and Breeze.

 

Cadbury’s Bourneville

and Chocolate fingers.

anf Fishermans Friend’s,

with a taste that lingers.

 

Scourers like Brillo,

Ajax and Vim.

Driving to Whitley Bay

to visit Uncle Jim.

 

Polo Mints and Love Hearts,

and assorted Dolly Mixtures.

Wrigleys Chewing Gum and Midget Gems,

also more firm fixtures.

 

Fry’s Chocolate Cream Bars,

and Cadbury’s Selection Boxes.

And soothing Glacier Mints,

made by Fox’s.

 

Ambrosia Rice Pudding

and alphabet Spaghetti.

Going to Southport

to visit Auntie Hettie.

 

Colemans Mustard,

and Cross & Blackwell Soup.

Original Smith’s Crisps,

long before Hula Hoops.

 

And Heinz Baked Beans –

still the outright winner.

When a tasty snack needed,

for a light dinner.

 

 

January 10, 2022

 

 

She’d sit against the wall

with Nebuchadnezzar –

a stray dog, that

her Dad had found.

 

And Lassie from

the corner house,

also joined them,

on her daily pound.

 

‘That daughter needs

a dog of her own’.

said Joe, as his clogs

clattered down the street.

 

‘She shouldn’t be sat

on the pavement alone’,

‘I’m tellin thee,

it just ain’t reet’.

 

And marbles rolled

down mucky grids,

and hopscotch went

out of fashion.

 

And she was expelled

from the Girl Guides,

when boys became

her passion.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury  January 2022

 

 

March 14, 2021

 

 

‘I’m a ‘Youth Dew’ girl,

she would always insist to me.

 

I told her that I found it

a little over-powering,

and that maybe she

should use a tad less.

 

I would sneeze as soon as

she clambered into my car.

We would give each other

that same knowing look.

 

Her first words always the same:

‘You’re flaming crackers, and you

can turn that racket off the radio too –

lets talk instead’.

 

That’s how it was, mile after mile.

She talked and talked. I listened 

and occasionally butted in.

I’d heard every word many times.

 

She loved dogs and trees,

and ten people and me,

but the rest of the universe

could all ‘sod off’.

 

In an attempt to suppress

another imminent sneeze,

I would mischievously press

the passenger window switch,

 

and her window would come

flying down, letting in some

lovely, cool clear air, and scaring

her witless, in the process.

 

‘Put this window back up,

you damned idiot’, she would

demand, closing her eyes and

shaking her head in dismay.

 

Oh. what I would give to

smell the perfume on her today!

 

Now, more than a decade on,

I occasionally catch the aroma

of Youth Dew on someone that

I pass in the street. and choking back

tears, face all the comeuppance

I deserve.

 

Sorry for being such a bitch Mum

Love you tons.

 

written by Harriet Blackbury

July 13, 2020

 

 

 

‘She’s gone to Curlybobs for a blow-up’

Grandad said, when I rang today.

So I said that I’d call her back later.

Well, really – what more could I say?

 

 

 

 

 

Some may think her a silly fool,

but she gave as good as she got.

His aggression she took as an outlet,

when with others, he was losing the plot.

 

She soaked up all his frustration,

as his world began to crash.

Standing steadfast by his side,

as his empire turned to ash.

 

In times of unbearable agony,

when life was full of despair.

She took the flack, and bathed his wounds,

and saw him through the nightmare.

 

What else can one do when a loved one,

without warning falls by the way.

Somehow an inner strength kicks in,

and the level – headed one saves the day.

 

Tied together in what one signs up to –

a partnership, a union – call it what you may.

With patience and trust and understanding,

tomorrow will be a brighter day.

 

and if love be the basis of everything,

sometimes, better to stay than just walk away. 

 

January 23, 2020

 

 

… and life with all it’s monotony,

and twists & turns, is bliss.

Day’s that start and end, like any other –

what more could one ask than this?

 

August 29, 2019

 

 

The Club we’ve supported

since a child at the knee,

of fathers and grand-dads,

who were so thrilled to be

 

taking us to our first game,

complete with scarf and bob hat.

‘Up The Shakers’, they chanted,

and we were hooked after that.

 

A Club to be proud of,

with a pitch like no other –

once likened to the old Wembley,

and Family Stand loved by, each sister & brother.

 

And the best pies in Lancashire,

sold at Half -Time.

Please God, help save the Club –

to lose it, would be a crime.

 

The unfairness, the injustice,

that has brought the Club down,

just after promotion – our big chance,

to win more support in the town.

 

The irony, the sadness,

felt by players, staff and fans,

as a new horizon appeared,

but was snatched from our hands.

 

Not for the first time,

were our highs met by lows,

and resilience tested,

by the cruelest of blows.

 

A heart-breaking situation –

please don’t let our Club die?

and become another statistic,

leaving us high and dry.

 

Another uphill battle,

to now seize control,

doesn’t help our heroes,

who now face the dole.

 

Our support for Bury Football Club,

can’t be in vain .

After the best season in ages,

Dear Lord – please save Gigg Lane.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

June 9, 2019

 

 

In 72, ‘Family Affair’, on Epic – a US No.1,

for Sly & The Family Stone, made a UK No.15 link.

And in 2002, ‘Family Portrait, on Arista,

reached No.11 for P!nk.

 

In 87, ‘Running In The Family’, on Polydor,

reached No.6 for Level 42.

And in 92, ‘My Father’s Shoes’, on RCA,

also by Level 42, at No.55, was on view.

 

In 82, Junior, on Mercury,

peaked at No.7 with ‘Mama Used To Say’.

And in 98, ‘Father’, on Def Jam,

was a Top 10, for LL Cool J.

 

In 75, ‘Mama Never Told Me’, on Atlantic,

for Sister Sledge (their first UK hit), made No.20.

And in 79, ‘We Are Family’, on Cotillion, 

this time giving Sister Sledge, a No.8 entry.

 

In 72, ‘Mother And Child Reunion’, on CBS,

for Paul Simon, his first UK hit, at No.5, seen.

And in 85 ‘Brothers In Arms’, on Vertigo,

took Dire Straits up to No.16.

 

In 80, ‘My Perfect Cousin’, on Sire,

reached No.9 for The Undertones.

And in 85, ‘Look Mama’, on Wea,

was a Top 10, for Howard Jones.

 

In 84, The Thompson Twins, on Arista,

gave ‘Sister Of Mercy’, a No.11 kiss.

And in 2000, ‘Sister Sister’, on Multiply,

peaked at No.34, for Sister Bliss.

 

In 70, ‘Mama Told Me Not To Come’, on Stateside,

for Three Dog Night – a US No.1 and UK No.3.

And in 71, ‘My Brother Jake’, on Island,

reached No.4, for UK group – Free.

 

In 95, ‘Father And Son’, on Polydor –

a platinum-seller for Boyzone, made No.2.

And in 2009, Pixie Lott, on Mercury,

had her first No.1 with ‘Mama Do’.

 

In 71, ‘Cousin Norman’, on Decca,

peaked at No.6 for Marmalade,

And in 72, ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’, on Polydor,

was the third No.1 hit for Slade.

 

In 84, ‘Mother’s Talk’, on Mercury,

reached No.14 for Tears For Fears.

And in 89, Mike & The Mechanics, on Wea,

had a US No.1 & UK No.2 with ‘The Living Years’.

 

In 67, ‘Dedicated To The One I Love’, made No.2,

for The Mamas and The Papas, on RCA.

And in 88, ‘Father Figure’, on Epic, gave,

George Michael a US No.1, and a No.11, in the UK.

 

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