Wisdom from a Grumpy old man. Introducing my Dad John, by Becky
Each time I stay with my parents, various unidentified objects, of differing sizes, are presented to me in dad’s hands with interesting stories behind them. Recently I lost my dear Auntie Eileen, his sister (83) and regret not paying more attention or remembering more of her stories (I did record her telling me about the times she had taken refuge under the dining room table as bombs dropped outside when she lived in York during Word War two).
So in order to record some of these treasures, I’ve decided to add some blogs by my dad - so there’s no need for anyone to feel sorry for him.
Dad, also known as ‘Ern the Worm’ as he is quite small and likes working in the garden, but whose real name is Ernest John Holmes, was born in 1945, and spent his working life as a Heating Engineer and Plumber. I recently read somewhere that plumbers have saved more lives than doctors, to put it into context, through installing and maintaining hygiene systems, which is open for debate, but intriguing. His grandfather and father were in the same line of work, and lots of things have been passed down.
His father, my Grandfather, Ernest Holmes, in his later years was a member of the British Horological Institute - specialised in repairing antique watches, clocks and ‘Grandfather Clocks’, for which he had to sit exams, but joined as a hobby. He had been a Major in the Royal Engineers and spent time serving in Egypt during the Second World War, and was also a well respected teacher at a technical college.
I’ll write more about ‘Grandad Holmes’ later. He was the person who first introduced me to ‘meditation’ when I was a small child, which I practice every day as part of my daily life. I have fond memories watching him sitting on his really beautiful old, wooden chair working silently with such incredible focus on tiny, intricate work, that meant I held my breath… and learnt to appreciate so many things in those moments.
My Great Grandfather Richard Holmes, had worked as a plumber for Bentley’s Yorkshire Brewery in Woodlesford, Leeds in the good old days when they were delivering beer by horse and cart. We have a cupboard full of items salvaged from those days, including beer tankards, quart tankards, among other things.
The photo is grumpy Dad holding up a quart pot, not a pint pot - it was double the size of a pint glass - “So they must have supped some ale back then!”
As to how exactly these pots were acquired is questionable.
Dad had his own plumbing and heating business and was really hard working. With my dear mum, brought his two girls up well, took on an old house, which was at least 300 years old with a huge garden and lovingly restored it in between work and family life.
The reason I’m mentioning my family tree here is - not just waffle - as those of you who know me may be thinking. It will all become clear. Most of these ‘unidentified’ objects were, in fact, made or acquired by the aforementioned members of my family. So I’d like to share a few of them with you over time. I’ll add them into this ‘Grumpy old man’ blog - and knowing dad, there will be lots more to come as he has a huge shed and a loft and a greenhouse. My parent’s home is filled with things passed down and saved because they were made by people out of love or necessity, and quite often salvaged from bits and bobs and odds and ends!
I will enjoy very much writing about him, his worldly wisdom and seeing what we can unearth together.
