A boy and a kestrel. They were made famous by the late Barnsley writer - Barry Hines in his novel, "A Kestrel For A Knave". Both Shirley and I met him - she as his practice nurse and me at a political meeting in the Sheffield Trades and Labour Club. Now there's this impressive memorial statue to Barry Hines in the very heart of Barnsley. I am delighted that he has not been forgotten. Many is the time I read "Kes" with classes of teenagers. It always went down well. A sure fire winner.
Today I caught a train from Sheffield Midland Station to Barnsley. After photographing the statue, I then went back to the Transport Interchange and climbed aboard a Number 32 bus bound for Cudworth which is one of Barnsley's suburban villages - all of which were once associated with coal mining.
Soon I was back out in the sunshine walking to Smithies and then on to Monk Bretton before descending into the valley of The River Dearne. As I passed Oakwell football ground, I could hear the combined voices of thousands of football fans as Barnsley FC took on Blackpool FC in English League Division One.
At three forty three, I was on a homebound train - sitting at a table with three black women. Two of them - probably in their forties - had been clothes shopping and were well-groomed. Lord knows what they made of Mr Scruffy. The other woman was seventeen and I had witnessed a lot of her phone conversation on the station platform - much talk about "God" and how "God" guided her decisions.
So yes - a nice day out in Barnsley and a good, long walk - ticking off "Geograph" squares I had not previously covered. I was pretty weary when I unlocked our front door at four forty five and noted with the aid of our television that Barnsley had lost by three goals to nil
Remembering Patrick O'Connor by the Dearne Valley Lake. He was born ten days after me and died just two weeks short of his 70th birthday
Remembering Dylan Sharland who was born in 1977 but did not make his 30th birthday. The bench had so many offerings on it that you could
not sit there to admire the view of The Dearne Valley
Street sign on the street that is still home to
Monk Bretton Working Men's Club.
Crocuses in Monk Bretton Park speak
eloquently of this season - springtime!
nice day for it.... casper, get down off them goalposts!
ReplyDeleteGerroff me are Jud! Stop it y' bastard!
DeleteSuch a nice interesting day for you. I admire your exploring spirit. The crocuses are a beautiful color.
ReplyDeleteGoing to places you have never been before is indeed a kind of exploring Deb.
DeleteA nice walk with bonus crocuses!
ReplyDeleteI was skipping some of the way singing, "Tra-lee! Tra-lah!"
DeleteThe Micro Manager used to ride her bike to Barnsley to swim. Her older sister went to high school in Barnsley.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that your wife will remember Cudworth Red. I think you mentioned that place before, I began my walk there yesterday.
DeleteThe crocuses are gorgeous! I'm going to see if I can find a copy of A Kestrel For A Knave, my twin grand daughters have teenage brothers, though they are more interested in screens than in books. Beautiful photos today.
ReplyDeleteThe book is often known as "Kes". It will be interesting to discover what an Australian surfing chick makes of it.
DeleteI think you showed that statue some time ago. It remains nice and it is nice to see it again. That's another good walk for you, and a nice read for us.
ReplyDeleteYes - I did mention the statue before Andrew but this time I managed to locate it and take my own pictures.
Delete"I'm Bobby Charlton today boys". Brilliant film, book and working class writer.
ReplyDeleteBarry Hines played football for England schoolboys.
DeleteNot sure if I ever read the book , but I certainly loved the film " Kes" .
ReplyDeleteKen Loach's film version was indeed brilliant.
DeleteWonderful early spring sunshine, and well done for using public transport.
ReplyDeleteI have not read (yet) "A Kestrel for a Knave" and am not sure I ever will, since I'm afraid it will make me cry.
I can understand that. You may find a lot of Steve in that novel.
DeleteNice run through Barnsley. Never read Kes mostly because I presumed the bird had to die and I hate sad endings.
ReplyDeleteEven today, the novel speaks powerfully and authentically of ordinary life in the north of England.
DeleteA lovely day for a walk in pleasant surroundings - excellent for your blood pressure too. Glad to read that you used public transport and let Clint have a day off.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the film "Kes" years ago, but don't think I've read the book.