Scrap Book
The colour section of my biography
First the words, now the pictures. Within this section are photographs of the places I had been to, and those associated with myself, covered within the written biography on the previous page. These should be treated as a companion to the written composition.
Picture one: Tameside Hospital
This was where I made my first appearance, though not within this very wing. This picture looks better than the 1970s concrete maternity ward where I emerged from three days late.
Picture two: Guide Lane Clinic, Audenshaw
When I was regarded as "autistic" and "hyperactive", I was also tested for deafness. This was one of three clinics I visited from 1982 to 1985. Others were the Rowan House centre in Hyde and Dewsnap Lane clinic in Dukinfield.
Picture three: Bolton Street Station, Bury
A May 1984 trip to this station and the nearby Bury Transport Museum was one trip which triggered a near lifelong obsession with the railways. The month before I went to the National Railway Museum.
Picture four: Rochdale Bus Station
As well as trains, 1986 saw buses becoming a major obsession, thanks to numerous outings on the 400 to Rochdale and Bury, and the 343, my favourite route, to Mossley.
Picture five: Ewing School, West Didsbury
Following my Statement of Special Educational Needs, April 1986, led to my four day assessment at Ewing School. This led to three happy years in West Didsbury from January 1987 to July 1990.
Picture six: Withington Baths, Burton Road
At Ewing School, swimming was the only lesson I used to dread with a passion. Despite being ten minutes walk from the school, we were driven to the baths by coach.
Picture seven: The People's Gallery, Stalybridge
The birthplace of my writing group People's Performance. In June 2003, came some successful open air poetry recitals, which led to this group. Since this photo was taken, the group have moved to new premises further down the road.
Picture eight: Clent Parish Church: Clent, Worcestershire
This picture was taken before a Donna Williams lecture at the nearby Sunfield School. At this talk, I read a poem chosen by herself. I was back ten months later to do a thirty minute talk on myself, supporting Wendy Lawson.
Picture nine: Bolton Arena: Horwich, Lancashire
Along with Amir Khan, I too have frequented Bolton Arena, as a speaker for Bolton Council's 'Meeting Your Needs' seminar. I had three 45 minute slots in the first three months of 2007.
Picture ten: Roughtown, Mossley, Lancashire
A short walk from this view is Woodend Mill, where as part of the 'Gifted' weekend on the 29th November 2008 I performed examples of original poetry and adapted works.
