A would like to thank Penelope Wren for her guest blog contribution, entitled 'A Very Clear Choice,' published in 'Spanish Views' today. Penelope's recollections on school life in Fareham, where we both grew up, has brought a lot of memories flooding back, as I recall my own school days, spent in the relative tranquility of this small suburban town on the south coast of England. Though not in the same year, we both attended Fareham Park Comprehensive at a time of great change. Penelope was lucky enough to be part of the first intake of pupils, I wasn't far behind.  Both of us have very different lives to the ones we had, growing up in Hill Park. The connection we have is born from the words we write about our shared experiences.

I believe it is important to keep memories alive. I am at an age, where my past is important to me. I really do look back at my school days with fondness now, despite the challenges I faced at the time. My life now is immeasurably different compared to forty plus years ago and I do find writing about my experiences rather therapeutic and life enhancing.

Penelope has also highlighted workplace bullying in her introduction, something I am very familiar with. It is sad that so many people have to suffer the indignity that harassment and abuse brings. Penelope is lucky enough to have a supportive family, as I have an understanding partner; without a solid network both our circumstances could be very different.

Thank you once again for your fantastic entry today Penelope; I hope my readers enjoy your entry, as much as I have. I look forward to hearing from you again, with more memories to share!

I've had a very busy few days sorting through photographs. Three months ago I started writing a book on  school life in the 1970s and 80s; a time I look back on with fondness. As I approach my 47th Birthday, I have become somewhat nostalgic for a childhood, spent happily in my hometown of Fareham, on the south coast of England. It wasn't until recently, that I even thought about those first ten years as a child; a lot has happened since that time after all. However, after moving abroad, I have started to learn the importance of my background forty years ago. I have made a lot of mistakes since those early years; my life never really went in the direction I wanted it to. I have a lot of regrets, wishing I had taken different opportunities when they arose, taking the right path instead of the wrong one. I also have a lot of good memories that I enjoy sharing on my blog and wouldn't change them for the World. None of us can alter the past, but we can learn from it!

Living in Spain has afforded me the luxury of being able to write, in a way I haven't been able to in the past. As I look out of my sitting room window, I can see miles and miles of scenery in front of me; peace and tranquility; the perfect environment in which to write. Living away from the distractions of city life, I have been able to reflect over my history and just what it means to me. Until I moved here, I lived for the moment, day by day and never reflected, or imagined what could have been. Most of the time I wanted to block it out, preferring to put the bad memories to the back of my mind. For a time, I really thought my youth was that bad.

It was difficult for me growing up gay, a fact I was aware of at age eleven. A realisation that I was different from my peers was arduous and awkward at best, disturbing at worst, causing me much anguish. I spent most of the time on my own, away from others, because I didn't fit in, not because I didn't want to but because I thought it was best. When you are carrying around secrets, the last thing you want is people around you, who could blow your cover, or discover who you really are. From eleven years old, my life was terrible, the worst and I had no end of problems to contend with. I never followed my dreams and ambitions, because I didn't know how; I was too busy hiding who I really was.

The years before eleven were good. I had a very normal, almost idyllic childhood, spent with a wonderful Mother and Father and extended family. It was the 1970s, we didn't have a lot as a family, but I never went without. I had many friends at school, spending quality time in their company, playing outside until the sun went down, enjoying the newness of life. Away from the muddle and confusion of the past, I am able to see through the pain and anger now and start looking back at the happier moments. Writing 'Short Stories From My Youth,' as part of my blog, has given me the motivation to write a book about this particularly enchanting period, between five and eleven years old; finally understanding the importance of recalling events that made me who I am today.

Thankfully I have been brought into contact with many old friends and others from the schools I attended. I have enjoyed reading their impressions of life four decades ago and have been amazed to see many old photographs from the era; jogging my memory further, I have been able to reconnect with my upbringing. Embracing all of my adolescence is going to be challenging. I have at least started the process of recalling carefree and joyous experiences, producing a story to be proud of; so many people playing a part in its conception. This will be a book about my life and many others who played their part; a history of the time; the sharing of memories, deeply rooted in the foundations of the past.

I am currently writing a book about my school days, living in Fareham. In 1976 I started at Fareham Park Infants School in Tewkesbury Avenue, Hill Park. I was a pupil for two years assigned to Mrs Brooks class.  I then moved up to Fareham Park Junior School, just a hop skip and a jump away from my first institution.

Sadly my two old schools are no longer there, well not in the same guise, so getting information on the period 1976 - 1982 is proving a bit of a challenge. I have been in contact with the new academies, who have promised to do help dig out old records and photographs from the time.

As part of this book, I would like to ask pupils and teachers who were in attendance at Fareham Park Infants and Juniors during the six years I was there, for their help. I am looking for anyone who has old photographs and doesn't mind donating them, for the inclusion in this new publication. Of course I don't mean physically handing the photo's over, but scanning them into a PC and sending me a digital copy. Also I would like to ask ex pupils and friends, if they have any stories and recollections they would like to share. I want to include personal memories from you, the readers, throughout the book and will of course be delighted to include a reference to you, or not, depending on your wishes.

As a writer I think it is important to document every aspect of my attainment; I write about many different subjects but find real life the most rewarding. With your help I feel sure this book will get the recognition it deserves.

If you want to take part in this 'school project,' please send your digital copies and comments to:

You can also fill in your details, leaving a comment in the box below and I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this blog entry today, I know how busy you all are. In my blog 'Spanish Views,' there is a section entitled 'Short Stories From My Youth.' I am currently showcasing various aspects of my life, growing in in the 1970s and 80s; my own personal account of the time. Please take a look; it may give you some ideas for your own anecdotes, jog your memory or just take you back to an altogether innocent time. Whatever you do, please keep reading 'Spanish Views,' you make the blog the success it is today!