Letter from Shawforth:When kids do us proud!

At 10am, on a wet and cold December morn a group of tired looking Whitworth Youth Brass Band members turned out at the local convenience store to play their instruments (outside) for the residents of Whitworth, Lancashire. I say “tired looking” because there are not many teenagers wide awake at this time on a Saturday.

This brief article is to say thank you to those kids, who with out doubt made their parents proud today, and provided the residents of Whitworth a treat. The residents obviously enjoyed themselves as they were more than happy to contribute to the bands collection tins.

Now a days there is far too much negative news about teenagers written in our media, and although this will on its own not strike the balance, it may go towards that.

So to the band members, and to the greater percentage of the teenage population who do us proud… THANK YOU.

Letter from Shawforth: 3D cinematic dilemma

Dear All

I spent some prime time with my girls this afternoon, which I am ashamed to admit is the first time in ages. This meant going to the pictures which was their choice. The girls picked the film at the local cinema, “Megamind” shown in 3D. One thing I noted when looking at the choice of films was the fact that the majority of the films were 3D.

Films aimed at the age group of my girls all seem to be in 3D which they love. Unfortunately this creates a dilemma in our house as my wife is one of the alleged 12% of the UK population who can’t see the benefits of 3D. The dilemma being do I go with the kids and leave my wife at home; or do we not go to the cinemas at all? In this instance, the girls won. I went with them, enjoyed the film and my wife did the weekly shop, which I was really disappointed at..

As a finishing point: just remember it is not cheap to go to the pictures, nor are the 3D TV’s or the 3D glasses. It will disappointing to discover you are one of the 12%, as it could mean you get lumbered with the shopping.

Regards

RickJO1

Dilemma of a Working Dad

Today I face a dilemma: one, no doubt many working Mums face and deal with every day; however today it is my turn, as my wife has already left for work.

My daughter is full of cold, snotty nose, streaming eye’s, and sore ribs from coughing. Dosed up to the max on paracetomol and neurofen she lies restful in bed, peaceful at last after a turbulent night. Now I have to get ready for work.

My dilemma is that as a caring, loving father I want to be at home nursing my baby (shouldn’t really call her that as she is 10). As a manager, with the pressures as they already are at work, I should go to work. I am fortunate in that the In-laws live on my route to work, and are very flexible so I have a, “get out of jail card” to hand. I can empathise with you working Mums.

I guess, it will be dump and run as I go off to work; it has to be on this occasion. If the In-laws were busy then things would be different. However, I will feel guilty as I know my daughter will not want to be left alone.

The dilemma of a working Dad!

RickJO1