Peter Batten writes about core interests . . .
A few days ago the postman brought me a copy of the novel ‘Conversations with Friends’ by the Irish writer Sally Rooney (pictured). I had ordered the novel because I had heard it mentioned so many times over the previous few months. Continue reading Just Say “Pickaxe”
Peter Batten writes about loneliness . . .
I visited Victor once a week for almost 9 years. When I let myself into his flat I would usually find him watching TV or playing cards on his computer. “How are you?” I would ask. Raising his arms wearily he would say, “I’m lonely and I’m bored”. Oh, and I forgot to mention that my enquiry had to be written on a pad or printed out in big letters on his computer screen. Victor had been totally deaf for several years. He was housebound by severe arthritis in his upper legs, had painful problems with his sight, and had treatment for a small cancer tumour on his head about five years ago. And, I almost forgot, a single heart by-pass operation in the 1990s. Continue reading Victor Hatfield 1942 – 2018
Peter Batten writes about his involvement with the Neighbourhood Care Scheme
One morning, early in January, I went round to see my friend Bob. I visit him once a week for tea and a chat. This morning he was particularly pleased to see me. His left eye had been troubling him for several weeks and that day he woke up in agony. He asked me to phone his Doctor. I soon became involved in a whole series of calls, including arrangements for an ambulance. My final job was to help the ambulance team get him out of his flat and off to the Eye Hospital.
Continue reading We are all Members…
The Whistler 