JOHN G. SUTTON
The steam train huffed and puffed
Into Foulridge station
Then the lines were working well
It was long before Dr. Beeching
Sent the railways all to hell
I had an old Army suitcase
It had once belonged to me Dad
On it was written his name and number
Just to see it made me feel glad
I was off on me holidays
Two weeks away from school
With me Gran. and ten bob spends
Heading for Blackpool
The first site of The Tower
Made me shout for joy
I was closer then to happiness
As a nine year innocent boy
The boarding house was a mystery
Much bigger than Gran’s place
And the landlady seemed enormous
With a very strict look on her face
Thou Shalt Not was written
Along with the Rules of The House
For fourteen days I better be
Quiet as a mouse
The sands and sea they beckoned
I had a new bucket and spade
Built a hundred or so sand-castles
In the sea I went for a wade
Benbo the donkey, my favourite
Gave me a ride on his back
I’d candy floss, toffee apples and ice cream
For nothing did I lack
Swimming, ducking and diving
In the sixteen foot deep Derby Bath
This certainly was living
Far from the schoolteacher’s wrath
We had shows and fun in the evening
I won a soft toy at a stall
They were happy days in Blackpool
The happiest of all
Full of joy and free of strife
And the cares of the world far ahead
Down the avenue we call life.
(c) John G. Sutton 1997