Month: October 2023

The new book

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Opening the cover beyond the title and an author’s name, ignoring the blurb in the rear, smelling the pages, and anticipating what lies within. The smell of books decomposing ever so slowly, losing their cellulose and lignin is known as bibliosmia. A book shed that information to me once. A bibliophile needs to know that. Some folk say books smell and attract us. It could be. I’d have to read about that to understand it.

The peaty, earthy, and slightly musty smell is neither a grotesque or pleasant smell. It is a familiar one. So, today, on my 41st birthday, I open Vince Flynn’s American Assassin. I’m unsure if I have seen the movie by the same name. It’s insignificant. All I know is that I want to read the book and feel the author’s words. My Aunty Christine rehomed this book with me. She recommended it. That was some time ago. Good things come to those who wait?

The nostalgia of feeling a book in your hand has made me ignore my Kobo e-reader, almost immediately after Mum gave it to me years ago. I’ve used it for reading literacy documents and nonfiction. That’s all. The bibliochor fragrance is all too tempting. Tiny dust mites, squashed spiders lost in the pages, and the odd note by a predecessor of a reader make books a fair journey into timelines and places beyond the text. Each book, even the crap ones, packs potential for a new world or inspiration to read more, write better, or seek new nostalgic texts.

Some books are unpardonable and need discarding. Some can not be put down. Some demand full attention, and some will sit silently awaiting the caress of a gentle reader. A few books will get battered and lay tattered. Many will touch hearts, and others may heal, or hug, or wrap amongst the DNA of the eyes upon the pages. Emotions and feelings from junior texts to deeper heavier lexile demands may equally challenge or relax a reader. The duality of opening a book and opening a door to a new story awaits.

Simon & Schuster, the publishers sits on the spine. The New York Times Bestseller awaits. So, prelude, page one… off we go… over to you, Vince Flynn. I’m ready to read.

Football is best live.

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Football doesn’t belong on the internet, in a box on television, or confined to those who can afford premium seats. It’s a game, and as the song Boys In Blue by City says, “football is the game that we all live for”. It’s a simple concept of kick bag of air into a goal, whilst stopping t’other side from doing similar.

22 folk play, split over two teams, with stacks of substitutes, and influence from men, or women waving cards, flags, or sitting in a box room issuing instructions like a sinister James Bond villain. Usually, it has worse outcomes than global domination.

Games attended in 2023/24:

One. 15/7/23, 3pm, West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-1 1874 Northwich F.C., Step Places Stadium, friendly game

Two. 16/8/23, 10pm, Manchester City 1-1 Sevilla, UEFA Super Cup, Man City win 5 – 4 on penalties, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium

Three. 19/8/23, Manchester City 1-0 Newcastle Utd, Premier League, Etihad Stadium

Four. 23/8/23, 7.45pm, Avro FC 0-1 City of Liverpool, Vestacare Stadium, Pitching In

Five. 25/8/23, 7pm, City EDS 4-4 Aston Villa, Academy Stadium

Six. 26/8/23, 12pm, City U18s 6-0 Blackburn Rovers, City Football Academy, Premier League U18

Seven. 27/8/23, Sheffield Utd 1-2 Manchester City, Premier League, Bramhall Lane

Eight. 2/9/23, Manchester City 5-1 Fulham, Premier League, Etihad Stadium

Nine. 16/9/23, West Ham Utd 1-3 City, Premier League, Elizabeth Stadium

Ten. 22/9/23, 7pm, City EDS 1-2 Chelsea, Premier League 2, Academy Stadium

Eleven. 23/9/23, Manchester City 2-0 Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Etihad Stadium

Twelve. 30/9/23, 3pm, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Manchester City, Premier League, Molineux

Thirteen. 8/10/23, Arsenal 1-0 City, Premier League, Emirates Stadium

Fourteen. 15/10/23, 3pm, City Women 5-0 Bristol City, Joie Stadium, FA Women’s Super League

Fifteen. 21/10/23, 3pm, Manchester City 2-1 Brighton, Premier League, Etihad Stadium

Sixteen. 25/10/23, 2pm, BSC Young Boys 0-4 Manchester City, UEFA Youth League, Stockhorn Arena

Seventeen. 25/10/23, 9pm, BSC Young Boys 1-3 Manchester City, Champions League, Wankdorf Stadium

Eighteen. TBC.

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Over time, I’m hoping to add previous seasons, starting with the historic 2022/23 season. We’ll see.

The Bear Necessities

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Bern, baby Bern. What a glorious city with the river Aare horseshoe-shaped around the glorious Altstadt. The capital of Bern is as green as it is old-carved rocks. Sweeping views from the Bundehaus parliament buildings look out onto the distant Swiss Alps. Autumn leaves fall and mingle with stray butterflies, whilst the odd buzz of a bee makes a passerby question the seasons.

Starting with a walk from Newton Heath to Manchester at an ungodly hour, a steady train to Manchester Airport led to a wander to terminal three. Here, Ryanair had more priority boarding passengers than regular folk. A swift 7am flight to Cologne and Bonn Airport preceded a quick train to Köln, long before lunchtime. After an expansive and expensive salad, the train to Basel SBB station in Switzerland was equally hurried. The most part of the journey on flat land with the Rhein river close by and the foothills of the Black Forest gateaux mountains to the east.

Arriving at Bern for teatime meant a long day. Checking into the cosy Hostel 77, it would have been rude not to wander around the darkened old town in the evening. Spying a light show on the Bundeshaus parliament frontage and Manchester City’s travelling coaches were pleasant experiences but the haunting bells of

Outside of wanders around the UNESCO heritage medieval covered shops and fountains along the streets, a trip out of town by train to Thun was on the cards. The 101/100 zone tourist ticket covered two zones. A further 28 Swiss Francs covered the 6 zones of the journey. Within 30 minutes, it was possible to visit Thun and see the castle, many great Alpine mountain peaks, and the Eiger (from a distance). As a child seeing George Lazenby star as spy-womaniser James Bond, 007, the scenes from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service looked breathtaking. From a distance, I could imagine scenes from Ian Fleming’s text and varied Bond movies.

On my pocket, Anthony Horowitz’s With A Mind To Kill, didn’t get any reading time. The views from Thun and the exhibition of Manchester City’s under-19 team in the UEFA Youth League playing at the Stockhorn Arena was enough entertainment. The 10,000-seater stadium was about 8% full. Maybe 9%. I’m sure a statistician would question my maths. The four goals for City were as majestic as the surrounding views, and the Stockhornbahn AG-sponsored stadium was atmospheric. The young crowd enthusiastically cheering on both City and the hosts BSC Young Boys.

As Mike Summerbee and Nedum Onuoha, amongst others, watched on, the view of the Eiger and surrounds featured rainbows (perhaps Switzerland has pots of gold), clouds and glorious sunshine. The stadium is named after a cable car company named after a mountain and Fussballclub Thun 1898, who operate the stadium and put on a good show. Free entrance. Much needed.

The trip was, of course, to see Manchester City grace the hallowed AstroTurf of BSC Young Boys at the Wankdorf Stadium. The game was a bash. Manager Pep Guardiola shuffled his hand on the ground built over a Co-Op supermarket and a plethora of shops. The blue and whites made to work hard for their win left with three Champions League points and probably a few AstroTurf grazes. I don’t miss those days!

The joy of the light show at the Bundeshaus, a wander (or two) in Köln, a quick walk to the Wasserturm in Mannheim, and all the bits in between lasted from Tuesday to Thursday. So much to do. So much to see. So little time. Treasure life. Peace and love.

Weather the storm.

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I don’t want to talk about someone in the past tense;

The here and now will do.

Hearing, lustening, feeling across the range of sense;

Being around people presently through and through.

Seeing memorials, farewells, and gatherings of goodbye;

Flowers lay, horse and cart pulling away.

Knelt down by stone, looking up at the grey sky;

Unspoken words not ever able to say.

Wretched dreams unlived and walks unwalked;

Guidance and advice, unable to be dispensed.

Nattering and talks left silent, untalked;

Unable to place arms, no hugs against.

Worry and fear of you no longer near;

Push it aside and stand tall together.

Until the time comes, we must live out every year.

Weather the storm whatever the weather.

The Embrace.

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Feel. As much as it hurts.

Fear. For everything you dread.

Worry. About nothing and everything.

Carry. Wherever you go.

However much it hurts…

Lose yourself. But return right back.

Find yourself. Take time to bring love home.

Try yourself. Do it when you feel ready.

Love yourself. Without belief, hope can’t grow.

However much it hurts…

Be confused. Not everything features clarity.

Be afraid. The principles of life bind us.

Be connected. Separately, we feel weaknesses.

Be inspired. Endless possibilities rise with each new dawn.

However much it hurts…

Poetry for Teachers

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EEF, ECT, ELA, EAL, EHCP;

SALT & PEP, TAF, with an EP.

OFSTED, EWO, SPL, PP, and AO;

TA, LSA, SGO, SLT, alongside SENCo.

PRU, DT, LEA, LA, or SEND;

Off to D&T, IT, via FE and ESOL;

Join the NEU, TUC, read the TES for TEFL.

ABE, BEd, BSc, BTEC and ND…

NPQ, C&G, CATs, LAO, and good old CPD.

Is education all about acronymns?

Pseudonyms, nymphs of letters and things.

In Memory of Francis Lee

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Franny Lee was to many Blues, something to everyone. It’s hard to grow up in a City household or one of football and not know the greats of each club. Usually, it’s the big clubs. Often, the clubs who are making the most impact at the time. The name Franny Lee will be known to many Citizens.

As part of the treble trinity that was Bell, Lee and Summerbee, those who watched City from ’67 to ’74 will know of Lee. Those who followed City from 1994 will know Lee experienced an ill-fated spell as Chairman. His heart was there. City and the off-field conditions were not. Those who knew of the Maine Road to City of Manchester Stadium transition will know that Lee was involved behind the scenes. In fact, Lee sold his final shares in 2007 to Thaksin Shinawatra. Without Franny appointing Alan Ball, City may never have had fan favourites and legends in Georgi Kinkladze and Paul Dickov. Relegation and promotions may have happened differentl. Who knows.

The Forwards With Franny and We Want Franny badges have their place in time. What can never be argued against is that the former Bolton Wanderers player Francis Lee fell in love with City. Lee One Pen, as he was known for his penalty taking (and gaining) would have been a Video Assistant Referee nightmare had the game have had such technology then. Following retirement and games at Derby County (where he won the league), the ex-England forward went into business selling toilet rolls and other things.

Franny Lee cut an imposing figure on the field, and I can see why my Dad and Grandad rewatched VHS highlights and instilled my passion I to City’s history. At one time, growing up, history was all we had, but through players like Franny Lee, I could connect to glory long before 2011 arrived and City’s purchase power of Brasso became legendary once again.

I didn’t see him play, but I did say hello, get the odd signed bit, here and there. I listened to interviews on television as I grew into following City at an early age. Manchester City’s characters like Lee, and moments like the Ricky Hatton-style punch up with Norman Hunter, or those photos from the league win in Newcastle, will always stand out. And the shirt. Iconic. The style. The class. Footballers now don’t wear shirts in the same way. Franny Lee made the shirt his. Around 250 games with almost half as many goals is a statement statistic to be proud of, for any City player.

Born in Westhoughton, Franny Lee was drawn here. He never left. Not deep down. He’ll always be behind us. Even in absence. A true legend of the game. Eternally, one of our own.

Francis Henry Lee CBE (29th April 1944 – 2nd October 2023), always known as Franny Lee

How Wythenshawe Park Came To Be.

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Listening to Pretty Boy blasting out of loud speakers in Wythenshawe Park, I wandered where the park’s beginnings began… and then I forgot the Noel Gallagher gig but was reminded of it whilst passing Shena Simon Campus in Manchester.

Lady Simon of Wythenshawe sounds an odd name. Yet, many Mancunians will have heard the name Shena Simon. Middle name Dorothy, perhaps. Her life spanned 21st of October 1883 through to 17th July 1972. To most Mancunians, and students of Manchester College, Shena Simon was just a campus of building name. A few may have known her as a politician, feminist, educationalist and writer. Born of London’s Croydon, Sheila moved to Manchester by the 1920s, following marriage to Ernest Simon, 1st Baron Simon of Wythenshawe.

Here Sheila Simon boycotted functions at the St Mary’s Hospital for Women because they had no female board member. From that, she became heavily involved in Manchester Council and social provision. In 1926, Wythenshawe Park was donated to the people, by herself and her husband. Over the years the Simon family pushed for accessible education and her family even have links to the funding of Jodrell Bank Observatory and the Lovell Telescope.

Gustav Heinrich Victor Amandus Simon, a German engineer, founded Henry Simon Ltd and Simon-Carves Ltd in 1878. His son Ernest Emil Darwin Simon was born a year later. By 1947, his son was elevated to Baron Simon of Wythenshawe, of Didsbury in the City of Manchester. This peerage allowed steerage to join the BBC Board of Governors. His son Roger, the 2nd Baron Simon of Wythenshawe was a left wing journalist who championed Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. His other son Brian became a teacher and professor, after dabbling with Communism and soldiering.

Roger’s child, Matilda Simon, 3rd Baroness Simon of Wythenshawe was born as Matthew and underwent transgender surgery to become first openly transgender peer of the realm of the U.K. In recent years, as a former Green Party, the 3rd Baroness Simon has been involved with tree plantation in Marple Bridge. The name Shena Simon may not be the most well-known but just reading a few bits and bobs has led me to learn that Ernest’s older half-brother Ingo Heinrich Julius William Gustav Simon knows how to fill a birth certificate and that his expansive archery collection made it to Manchester Museum. So, next time I pass Shena Simon college I will be reminded of its links to Wythenshawe Park, Alan Turing sat behind it, and a diverse family lineage stretching from former-Prussia to Marple Bridge.

Manchester to Space

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Sackville Gardens, alongside Sackville Street, is home to an unusual statue-bench. Since 2001, here sits the sculpted memorial of Alan Turing. Behind Alan Turing’s resemblance is Manchester College’s Shena Simon Campus. To his right shoulder is Canal Street parallel to the Rochdale canal and to his left Manchester University’s Sackville Street Building. Education and the gay community side by side. The actual statue’s funding fell short of the target and had to be cast as far afield as China (Tianjin Focus Company). At Turing’s feet lies a message, “Father of Computer Science, Mathematician, Logician, Wartime Codebreaker, Victim of Prejudice”. Across from both the Beacon of Hope and Turing is a little-glasshouse atop of the nearby Sackville Building.

Godlee Observatory is located within the realm of the University of Manchester. The astronomical building is perched on the tower of the French Renaissance-styled Sackville Street Building. Opened in 1902, after 7 years of construction, the building shares many famous names amongst its laboratories (e.g., Henry Royce) and libraries (e.g., J.P. Joule). Outside on the walls is a blue plaque to Ivan Levinstein. He went on to develop dyes and chemicals in Crumpsall and is very much a forerunner in synthetic dye manufacturing. Next time a river turns a funky colour, you may blame Manchester.

The building, home of the University of Manchester’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), has a green dome and glasshouse on its roof. A stone’s throw from the statue-bench of Alan Turing, the dome is made of none other than papier-mâché. It’s not a bad material for a century plus of operation! Francis Godlee’s gift to the people of Manchester is currently under restoration. The winding ornate wrought-iron staircases up lead to a trap door and an impressive made in Dublin Grubb telescope. Now operated by Manchester Astronomical Society, there is no re-opening date. Godlee was drawn to Manchester in the times of cotton trading, manufacturing, and rounded character involved in community, cycling, and astronomy.

This month, the Zdeněk Kopal Memorial lecture is pencilled in to start at 19:30hrs on Thursday, October 19th, 2023, in Blackett Lecture Theatre (Schuster Building, Manchester University, Oxford Road). Lectures are held monthly and are free to attend. Alternative stargazing can be found in Salford at Salford Observatory (M6 7DZ). Or, follow the AuroraWatch website for Northern Lights (aurora borealis) sightings. Alan Turing’s statue holding an apple and in a way Sackville Gardens is part of the core of Mancunian culture and history. Needless to say, above the core, looking down and up over the city is the lesser known Godlee Observatory. Millions of souls have passed by beneath, and few know its story. Thanks to John Burns, a Nottingham Forest friend, for reminding me of this little-known dome.