David is an author of fantasy novels and a writer and producer of rock music. The site provides information of his creative works and has a regular blog of news of his latest work and insights into his life and past.
My mother must have finally passed her driving test by the time I was sixteen as when my birthday came in December 1971 she paid for me to have driving … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’- My Adventures Learning to Drive and Taking the Driving Test. 1971 Harehills, Leeds.
I have spoken about the early cars that the family had: the Austin, the Ford Prefect and these were followed by an Anglia, Cortina, Mini and various Escorts. When my … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Cars, Learning to Drive and Other Adventures (Part 1)
As I have said before, there were certain advantages of me having an older brother, one of which was his being at university. My brother was at Durham University at … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Pop Culture, Pipers, Chablis, King Crimson and Yes, Wild Nights at Pete’s Cellar and Leeds Poly 1960s and 70s.
My memories of childhood are all good ones, with the odd bit of trouble thrown in, but my teenage years were a much more extreme time in my life. I … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’- Teenage Years, a Time of Passion, Extremes and Hair!
After spending all my adult life in teaching I find it hard to fathom some of the things that we did to some of the teachers at Roundhay School. I … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’- Oh Dear! Did I really do that at Roundhay? The bad and not so bad behaviour of teenage boys and the winds of change.
There were a number of occasions when I got in trouble at school, but luckily for me they were either not very serious or I just wasn’t found out. I … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – “He’s just a very naughty boy!” Trouble at Harehills C. P. School and Roundhay School, and the Astoria Nightmare.
I think I was allowed to work on the Christmas Post from about sixteen, but the jobs were casual and the number of days you worked depended on how busy … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Holiday jobs – Christmas Postie at Harehills and Sorting at the Queen’s Hall, Leeds.
My earliest memories of music were from the radio, Listen with Mother, nursery rhymes and at school. The songs were simple, had clear melodies and words that were easy to … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’- Music in the 1950s and 60s. Pirate Radio, Singles, Transistor Radios. A Personal View.
Apart from the day trips to the coast we did start to stay for longer periods, but I don’t ever remember staying at a guest house or hotel in our … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’- Crows Nest Camp -Holidays on the East Coast. Smith’s Crisps with Blue Salt Bags, Mystery Tours, Rock, Fish and Chips and Electrocution.
Anyone young reading this will think we lived in the Stone Age, but it is only three quarters of a lifetime away that entertainment at home could be delivered in … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Listen with Mother then Watch with Mother and other television delights in the 1950s and 60s.
Some of my earliest memories are of going to my grandma’s house in Regent Terrace in Chapel Allerton. My brother and I seemed to go there regularly. My mother worked … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Real Yorkshire Pudding and Card Games with my Grandma in 6 Regent Terrace, Chapel Allerton. Leeds in the 1950s, and a bit more Family History.
I am sure that one of the most vivid memories which readers who lived in Yorkshire during the 1950s and 1960s will have of childhood is going on day trips … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’- A Trip to the Seaside – The East Coast
