|
|
|
|
|
|
Floods
For those who saw the TV pictures of York in
the floods--our house was unaffected. The flood defences held
back most of the water--and even if they had failed we would
not have been deluged. It was, all the same, a traumatic time
for the city and many other parts of North Yorkshire.
Radio York
Barrie is very pleased with his first year
as Managing Editor of BBC Radio York. The autumn floods gave
the station a strategic role in reporting events and supplying
information to people affected or threatened by the flood
waters. The normal programme schedule was abandoned and a
rolling 24 hours flood news and information service was mounted
for almost a week. It won a lot of praise for the radio station
from a range of people--including Prince Charles, John Prescott
as well as the local authorities and emergency services. As
a result Barrie was introduced to Prince Charles who took
a great interest in the role local radio played in keeping
people in touch during the crisis. It's likely that the coverage
will have given a substantial boost to the listening figures.
Even before the crisis, the audience had grown considerably
with an increase of 22,000 listeners this year.
WWM
Warwick
is now a fully paid up member in his new home in Huntington.
He's had a couple of holidays this year. The first to an outward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bound
style centre on Keilder Dam in Northumberland in the summer.
Exploits included absailing in his wheelchair and sailing.
Later he spent a few days at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest.
Warwick had a great time on both holidays but his carers came
home totally wrecked!
Wesley
now has a staff job at BBC Essex as a Broadcast Journalist.
He's based in the Colchester office but often works at the
main centre in Chelmsford. He has a new girlfriend after an
uncertain time in his relationship with Susannah. They are
still friends but the romance is over. This was the
year he joined the planet wreckers--he bought his first car.
This means he gets home more easily.
Matthew
continues his media course at Bradford University. He's also
treading the boards at the Theatre in the Mill. We're going
to the latest production - Terry Pratchett's Weird Sisters
--just before Christmas. Matthew also became personally mobile
this year, but in a more planet friendly way. We bought him
a Micro scooter for his birthday! He resorts to the train
for longer distances--like his regular visits to Lancaster
to see his girlfriend Julia.
Canon Lee
Joan's
school, Canon Lee, has been a building site for most of the
year, and the intake of pupils has increased as the expansion
continues. Joan is now the Year 8 Learning Co-ordinator--an
expanded Head of Year role.
It's been a demanding time for the staff but things are still
settling down now.
(Continued
on page 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
year started in the studios of BBC Radio York where Barrie
was working and Joan laid on a small party for the staff who
worked overnight from the last millennium to this one.
Fears of the millennium bug seem to be a long way off now.
Early in the new year we decided to stay in this house
in Claremont Terrace. This signalled the go ahead for
a major plan to upgrade the property. Our aim was to have
the work completed by the end of the year and everything is
on target--just.
The process began with choosing a kitchen, new central heating
and double glazing. The fitting began in April and now we
are waiting for the last of the new furniture to arrive for
the dining room and lounge.
The ground floor has been transformed. Furniture and fittings
worn out by 13 years of family life have been replaced.and
the house is more energy efficient So far we're
really pleased with the result--and we'll gloss over
the excuses doled out by the various fitters doing the work.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holidays
We enjoyed
two main holidays this year. In April we spent a week in Malta--a
group of small islands in the Med. It was wetter and breezier
than we expected but we had a fabulous time. The SAS Radisson
Bay Point Hotel was superb. Food on the island was delicious.
Public transport is frequent but ancient. The main island
has a colonial feel--little has changed since Malta became
independent in the sixties. The military and religious heritage
is fascinating and the locals are really friendly. 
In August we spent a week in the Lake District-- at Patterdale
near the southern banks of Ullswater. We climbed several peaks
during the week, although we turned back from Helvellyn because
of the low cloud over Striding Edge.
The following week we spent four days in London. The London
Eye and Tate Modern were the best Millennium attractions.
The Dome was average and miss able. The West End Show, Mama
Mia, proved to be the highlight of the holiday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
