Good read that Sam, the point around seeing people for who they are not what they do is huge. Also, glad you are feeling better, sounds like a tough first half of the year but definitely some optimism for the second half. Take care, just rest.
Great piece, Sam, and hits the bullseye dead centre. Just read it whilst watching my son at his karate class in his primary school, in one of the most deprived areas of Bolton where last week they finally saw sense and got rid of the lying Tory MP(s) in favour of Labour- far from perfect but there's that glimmer of hope now, that things will actually improve for everyone that lives here (and not just the affluent areas of Bolton; yeah they do exist!)
I grew up very near to Mr Dawson's home town (village), which was a former pit village destroyed by the Tories. We were relatively lucky in that my parents never split (up until my dad's passing at the start of last year), and he was a civil servant- not what you'd call well off but we had enough, lots compared to many kids at my school.
It baffles me that so many of those kids whose families had next to nothing (or less) have grown up to be Tory voters (well, Reform UK this time) whereas most of the ones I know who no longer live in the region are Labour (or Green).
Anyway, I got carried away- glad things are on the up for you this year and I can't wait for the next book!
Sam you’re so spot on with everything you’ve said about the misery, embarrassment and just plain despair of the last 14 years, both here and on the pod.
But thank F the grown-ups are back in charge. I was unfortunate enough to go to one of those schools and they are absolutely, without any doubt, the root of the problem. I’ve spent a good part of my life unwiring all the bullshit I was fed at a really impressionable age. Don’t know if you’ve come across Sad Little Men by Richard Beard, it’s worth a look if you haven’t already.
Anyway thanks for putting into words so well what so many of us have been feeling.
Good read that Sam, the point around seeing people for who they are not what they do is huge. Also, glad you are feeling better, sounds like a tough first half of the year but definitely some optimism for the second half. Take care, just rest.
Great piece, Sam, and hits the bullseye dead centre. Just read it whilst watching my son at his karate class in his primary school, in one of the most deprived areas of Bolton where last week they finally saw sense and got rid of the lying Tory MP(s) in favour of Labour- far from perfect but there's that glimmer of hope now, that things will actually improve for everyone that lives here (and not just the affluent areas of Bolton; yeah they do exist!)
I grew up very near to Mr Dawson's home town (village), which was a former pit village destroyed by the Tories. We were relatively lucky in that my parents never split (up until my dad's passing at the start of last year), and he was a civil servant- not what you'd call well off but we had enough, lots compared to many kids at my school.
It baffles me that so many of those kids whose families had next to nothing (or less) have grown up to be Tory voters (well, Reform UK this time) whereas most of the ones I know who no longer live in the region are Labour (or Green).
Anyway, I got carried away- glad things are on the up for you this year and I can't wait for the next book!
Be Lucky.
Cheers Andrew. Yes, it is baffling but our long national nightmare is now over!
Sam you’re so spot on with everything you’ve said about the misery, embarrassment and just plain despair of the last 14 years, both here and on the pod.
But thank F the grown-ups are back in charge. I was unfortunate enough to go to one of those schools and they are absolutely, without any doubt, the root of the problem. I’ve spent a good part of my life unwiring all the bullshit I was fed at a really impressionable age. Don’t know if you’ve come across Sad Little Men by Richard Beard, it’s worth a look if you haven’t already.
Anyway thanks for putting into words so well what so many of us have been feeling.
Cheers,
Matt (celebrity gatesman)
yes Matt - I interviewed him on the podcast a while back - a great book and a lovely bloke
https://samdelaney.substack.com/p/ep-27-richard-beard-1a4?utm_source=publication-search
Ah nice one, maybe it was your recommendation to start with! I’ll give it a listen thanks :)