Chess

 Another fact, that you may not know about me is that I’m a passable Chess player. I haven't played for years, so I was more than happy to receive this set from my sister Janet, a late gift for my birthday.

Another new start, and this one is magnetic so here’s a 

Message to Weaver

Many moons ago, when I lived in Walkey in Sheffield, I joined the local chess club, which was based at walkley Library which I’m pleased to see is still open

I met my first proper boyfriend at this club. A floppy haired, student called Alan who always wore a green jumper with a hole in the collar . He once saw me studying at the central library and dropped his telephone number onto my desk in a fit of confidence and insight.  I was almost twenty nine he was around twenty and it took me weeks to muster up the courage to ring him back. 

Our first date was at the chess club. 

Which, in retrospect sounds rather sweet.

Alan was a sweet boyfriend too,  mentally sorted and with real Yorkshireman sensibilities. He spoke with deep flat vowels and had a steady manly manner about him, but unfortunately he left Sheffield months down the line to travel the far east and Australia on a gap year which became three.

I cried when he left and as a parting gift he gave me a small travelling chess set with a kiss and a handshake

It was something I eventually and very sadly lost when I eventually moved to Hillsborough 

And a generation plus later, another chess set returned…