The next female in my life was Doreen, my girlfriend and subsequent wife. She was brought up with similar standards to mine and, even when we were dating, we both had a set time to be home at night, unless both our parents knew of any special event…
My book would not be complete without paying tribute to the four females who in their own way played such a large part in my life. First of all, I owe a great debt to my parents and, in particular, my mother who brought me up to know right from…
To a large extent, life is what you make it yourself. You can only get out of anything what you put into it and, in this respect, many young people today expect everything to be their right and that they should be receiving this and that benefit,…
Once we were sure our family had no interest in taking over the post office or our shops, and that they had fully qualified themselves for much better things, we sold our shops and stepped down from having the post office, and settled for the joys…
I was brought up to attend church and being involved in the Presbyterian Church has been a big part of my life. Growing up, I went to Duncairn Presbyterian Church with Rev. James Wilson. After my marriage, we attended Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church…
Thoughts from an old lady Remember OLD FOLKS are worth a fortune, with SILVER in their hair, Gold in their teeth, STONES in their kidneys, GAS in their stomachs. I have become a little older since I spoke to you last, and some changes have come into…
What is Bowls? Bowls is a science, a study of a lifetime. You may exhaust yourself, but never the subject. Bowls is a contest, a melee, calling for courage, skill and self control. It is a test of temper, a trial of honour, a revealer of…
Life, like a game of bowls is but an end Which to play well this moral verse attend. Throw not your bowl too swiftly from you hand, First let its course, by reason's eye be planned Lest it roll useless o'er the verdant plain This sanguine life be…
Despite living in Glengormley and having a very busy working week, I always looked forward to my Saturday afternoon game of bowls, played between April and September, representing the Carrickfergus Club which I joined in 1951. In those days, bowls…
I was one of the first to sit the dreaded 11 plus exam,which I failed,even though I was on the borderline to pass. This affected me deeply as I thought I had let my parents down. However,it also motivated me to work hard and take an interest in…
