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.
Apart from the delights mentioned previously, there were many others on offer if you had the odd penny, halfpenny, threepence or sixpence to spend at the local shop. The jars … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – The Sweet Shop. Other tasty delights for young tastebuds, the perils of gum and the knack of the whistle.
One of my earliest memories of my father is his returning home after work and producing what he called ‘magic’. That is he would pull out some sweets or bars … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Sweets, Victory V Lozenges, Sweet Cigarettes and other delights we have lost over the years.
I guess it was just the times, but there was an alignment of the stars and the swinging sixties met with adolescence and a society that hadn’t managed to get … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’- Parties, Parties, Parties! Wild Extravagant Youth. Your Mother Warned You about Boys Like Us.
Roundhay School was nothing if not created as a Grammar School clone of the traditional public school. The buildings were imposing and its traditions were overbearing. The masters were still … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Junior Rugby at Roundhay, Naked Baths, House Matches and Straight-Arm Tackles.
Fireworks were an annual occasion when I was a child in Harehills, and as I have mentioned before, there was the thrill of going to buy a box of Standard … Continue reading ‘Cup Of Tea Tales’- Remember, Remember the Fifth of November – Bonfire Night Shenanigans!
Our band was becoming more accomplished and we had settled on the name ‘Atlantis’. Somehow we were building a reputation and I am not sure whether it was for our … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Chapel Allerton Methodist Hall, Band Concert and Riot.
Many of my teenage activities were both inspired by, and facilitated by my older brother, Andrew. I have no memory of how he got into rock climbing, but somehow he … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Rock Climbing, The Cow and Calf, Ilkley Moors and My Older Brother.
As a young lad I spent a lot of time in Roundhay Park and I have many good memories of the wonderful place. In particular, the lakes were an opportunity … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Roundhay Park Lake Adventures – Boating, Piracy and a near Drowning.
As I have mentioned before, I attended St Edmund’s Youth Club for a number of years. Roundhay School also had a strong link to St Edmunds and I remember attending … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Coventry Capers – Why you should never take teenagers on outings. St. Edmund’s Youth Club.
Pete and other friends were quite keen on soccer, in fact Peter still plays and he is a few years older than me. I had played rugby at school and … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Five-a-Side Soccer, The Judean, Spalding and Trauma!
One of the first signs of growing up as a teenager was going into Leeds City with your friends and the place where you wanted to hang out would be … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Texas Grill, Coffee Bars, Pinball, the Jukebox and the Last Bus Home.
Now, whilst my social life had taken over from any real attempt to learn anything at Roundhay School, there was more to it than just youth clubs. The regular meeting … Continue reading ‘Cup of Tea Tales’ – Oakwood Clock, the Cellar, Rocket Fuel and the Paint That Never Dried.
