My grandchildren know that I read a lot – for my recent birthday one of my grandsons bought me “River out of Eden” by Richard Dawkins. It is just fantastic - a really easy to understand explanation of evolution – I think everyone should read it!

On my first day at infants school, more than 60 years ago, my classroom was the open shelter in the playground because there were not enough classrooms inside! I remember it was snowing and the teacher had a blackboard on an easel. All us kids sat shivering on small chairs at wooden desks.

The secret of brilliant presents for parents and grandparents – presents that will really mean something and really please them, is the measure of how much effort you have put into them!
So – a present you have made yourself would be best. The more obvious the thought and effort involved the better it will please [...]

Hello grandads What was rationing like for you?

I remember ‘smogs’ so thick you really couldn’t see your ‘hand in front of your face!’ I saw a bus conductor walking along the edge of the pavement with a rolled up newspaper alight so that the driver could follow the light!