I read today in Plymouth's Herald newspaper online that Roger Shaw had died (24.5.24). Back in January 1968, we returned to England after spending three lovely years in Singapore where my dad was serving in the navy.
British tv was new to me then. I remembered shows from the early 1960s such as Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben, Fireball XL5 etc before we left for Singapore and were fed an array of wonderful American programmes such as The Time Tunnel, Star Trek, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Batman, The Monkees and wonderfully coloured comedy and dramas.
When we returned to England, we lived for a year at Healy Place opposite the dockyard in Devonport. I loved living there exploring the cobbled streets, building dens in Devonport Park, playing in the streets at night and generally exploring the area in the evening. The area wasn't tame however. I remember my brother getting punched full in the face by drinkers (he was 11 years old) while dressed up for penny for the guy. Another time, we were attacked by a group of lads with a machete knife. Amazingly, no-one thought to call the police. Lots happened but no-one thought anything of it.
We played in the streets, fought mock wars, threw fireworks about, made toy radios, played in parks, searched for birds eggs, collected butterflies, built dens and go-karts, dressed as cowboys, batman and commandos.
We swopped bubblegum cards, played with cereal boxes and toys and visited anywhere we could.
Kids stayed away from the police and had little to do with them if possible. They patrolled the streets on foot, looking for any minor misdemeanour. I remember getting told off for crossing the road without looking (there was no traffic) before being marched off back home and told off again!
The television programmes I remember were Westward Television with all their presenters including Roger Shaw, Stuart Hutchison, Lawrie Quayle, Kenneth MacLeod and others I've long forgotten. Doctor Who was on also featuring Patrick Troughton being chased by yetis somewhere in Wales. I loved it!
Roger Shaw was listed in the paper yesterday under his real name, Roger Ollerearnshaw. He'd died on Saturday 18th May 2024 aged 92. I liked all the Westward television presenters but I particularly remembered Roger because he read out my 7th birthday during the Gus Honeybun Show in August 1968.
The last time that I saw Roger, he was sitting in his car with his wife in the car park at Lambhay Hill. It was probably a long time ago now, many years anyway!
Hope to update my blog from time to time (does anyone still read it?) and add any new bits and pieces occasionally.
I promise to edit this better soon.
