Through the rain to Little Paxton County Primary School to give several talks to the pupils of the history of the village and then home to catch a nice roach fishing and to tend the doves and ducks. Justifiable over the Cleveland District Council’s (Teeside) decision that 200 children need putting into care because of ‘child abuse’ by their parents and Thatcher’s controversial Poll Tax is in the Queen’s Speech.
Rather a late and then restless night as the weather is getting warmer. Awoke quite early and washed my hair as well as showering and shaving. Dressed in corduroy trousers and best sports jacket and then packed my file and notes needed for my talk to Little Paxton School pupils. Took my umbrella, as it was drizzling and walked to the school to arrive by 9.15am and to meet Mrs Barlow, Debbie’s teacher. I was shown to the music room, where a screen was put up and I talked through 25 or so slides on the Little Paxton walk to the first class, telling them all about the historical significance of the buildings and features, and incorporating many stories to maintain their interest. I was given a cup of coffee in the staff room and then gave the same talk to a combined audience of two more classes. Rewarding to see how the little children enjoyed the talk and I answered literally dozens of questions.
LP School is quite cramped with classes and arranged higgledy-piggledy with a number of ‘portable’ classrooms and cabins. The children are happy, though the educational standards are not too high. Home under my umbrella in the rain to have lunch and then watched a little tennis in the afternoon on TV. The rain has put back Wimbledon by two days and it has almost become a farce. Also tried a bit of fishing later on and caught a nice roach, but I was convinced the swim was full of weed and needed dragging. Stayed out until dark and, once I had tended the birds and came in, I had to come straight to bed to please Di. News today is of a mounting panic over the Cleveland District Council’s (Teeside) decision that 200 children need putting into care because of ‘child abuse’ by their parents. The parents are up in arms over it and most claim their innocence. In the Queen’s speech detailing Thatcher’s policies for the new parliament, there are many measures that will redistribute money back to the rich, including the abolition of the rating system in favour of a poll tax. Biggest controversy is over a scheme to make parents pay for school extracurricular activities.