Continuing Story of Cressroads

Happy St George’s Day,

When, George, if this were this day two decades ago, Blogsbody would have thrown your notable Hollingbery name into the hat for his two eldest sprogs by his third set of nuptials – His & Her Nibs, Matt and Keogh – to want to consider you as a victim for their ‘20p pocket money affixed for the cost of reply-postage’ letter-writing marathon.

One that ended with a grand total of 1,500 letters, written within as many days. And for the pair of them to become the world’s most prolific junior letter-writers, before the end of their primary schooldays.

Their marathon was blessed by the late Pope. Approved by the late Queen Mother. And their ‘fine art collection of letters from international notables’ insured for Their Nibs though the kindness of Lloyd’s of London.

‘An achievement to be proud of,’ Post Office chief executive Bill Cockburn signed off each of their Royal Mail certificates. But, George, by the sound of today’s Daily Mail headlines TEENAGERS WHO DON’T KNOW HOW TO WRITE A LETTER, the two kids failed in their attempt to want to help to save the dying art of letter-writing.

Sarah Harris reports: ‘Letter-writing is becoming a lost art, according to education chiefs. Teenagers, they say, are increasingly unlikely to be able to address a letter correctly, spell sincerely or sign off with their name.

‘Basic punctuation is being abandoned as e-mails, text messages and gossip-style magazine cliches take over. It is feared youngsters will be handicapped by their failings, particularly when applying for jobs.

‘The problems are highlighted by the country’s largest exam board, the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, in a series of reports on last summer’s English GCSE’s. In one question, candidates were found lacking when asked to address a letter to a Government minister about education.’

Has Boy David visited Weir House? Or when next? ‘Cos, by George, Harvard and all that, old boy - both yourself and your wondrous good lady – if London’s most photographed racer on two wheels does imagine you as growing old wrapped in the likes of Lord Baker’s ermine, Their Nibs could make the rounds of the nation’s primary schools for your future department.

You may recall hearing how, in the days of Mrs T and her Downing Street team, Education Secretary Baker was another member of the Iron Lady’s Cabinet – herself included – to be engaged in personal correspondence with Their Nibs and the return of their 20p-pieces.

One such coin was affixed to their page-long, 13 February 1989 reply from Mrs Thatcher’s main man posted to London’s Elizabeth House: ‘ … astonished by your letter … I was quite overwhelmed … idea for a Federation of 21st Centurions … fascinating … best of them (letters) give you an impression of the real human being behind the letter.’

Alas, sibling rivalry, a competitive ingredient to the success of the marathon, never rubbed of on their younger brother Sam. Ever remembered as L-Nibs, and who is another open letter for another time in Blogsbody’s Continuing Story of Cressroads - www.blogsbody.co.uk

Its cast of 500 for the never-ending tale of the watercress capital of the world, filmed yesterday by BBC’s Freddie Rostand, stars Gary-the-Garden wheeling his petrol mower down Broad Street towards your moated pad, but with a right-hand turn and neighbouring merchant banker’s lawns most in his sights.

And so, George!

What prospective parliamentary thought crosses your mind this St George’s Day. When the developing blog most seeks a restrained Cressroads’ patron saint to call its own as well as England’s. And perhaps after you watch Freddie’s introduction to our eccentric beginnings on telly a week next Wednesday, we can meet up?

Mike-the-Blog