Povey Prattle

 . Gas lamplighter in Petworth, West Sussex, 1931. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This photograph reminded me that there were still some gas operated street lights in the Bristol of my childhood - say early fifties. There were a few in my area of Bristol and yes, I remember the lamplighter.  He rode a bicycle; carrying the lamplighters pole and a ladder. The pole had a hook at the top end.  The lamp was turned on in the evenings, and off in the mornings by means of a levered and balanced on/off device, each side with a metal circle at the end, through which the pole's hook was inserted. The ladder?  This was to use if the lamps's mantle  (made of fabric which had been infused with luminescent chemicals ) had broken and needed to be replaced. The lamps being lighted helped me to make sense of a hymn we often sang in the morning assembly at school. (see below)  It was a council school  (in American terms a public school).   We s

  Chance is a 120/130 lbs Bearnaise Mountain Dog who hangs around with his owner most mornings  at Sarasota's Bayfront Park.  He is 120/130 lbs of sheer love. joy and delight. When Chase spots Zion he whimpers; just like a puppy whimpering for her/his mother.  He "loves" Z. Then the two dogs have a nose to nose encounter. Both are far more "kissy-kissy" dogs at each others' front end, than "sniffy-sniffy" dogs at their rear end. They are good pals!

You will remember  Christian Zaschke has been in town to research a story on the U.S. General Election for the newspaper for whom he is the New York City Correspondent - Suddeutsche  Zeitung,  (based in Munich). He and I were no more than acquaintances who hung out together in the smoking area of Queen Mary II, on our journey from Southampton to New York. As Christian (who lives in N.Y.C.) thought about the article he planned to write he thought  "Ah Sarasota, FL, that Limey Michael Povey lives there, maybe it would be a good place to research my story". It all worked out well and I was able to connect Christian with Sarasota residents, Democrats and Republicans, who were glad to  meet with him. Christian stayed at Sarasota's Art Ovation Hotel  (sorta swanky), so he was able to get a taste of downtown;  (and bayfront SRQ with its Westin Hotel etc, and luxury Condominiums).  Three of his interviews took place in the fashionable and affluent "west of the (South Tamiami

 

  From a Face Book group of that name All we know of this couple is the inscription written in Welsh on the back of the photograph, it reads " Roland and Betsy Jones of Hen Hafod, Merioneth, in 1870. They entered the workhouse at Bala, but instead of separating them the Guardians permitted them to have a room to themselves". The Workhouse was the last place of dwelling for the poor and indigent. Workhouses were often cruel and harsh. Unusual and wonderful that they were given a room to share, and were not separated. Is she holding a Bible? Her costume is in line with what became a stereotypical norm for images of Welsh women.