[2011]

1970s PRIVATE LIFE

The main impact on our private lives in the 1970s was moving back to London, to Molesey, in order to start my new job with IBM. Even so, despite the massive change in my fortunes, the next decade or so was to become the most settled part of our family life. Indeed, it represented almost all of our children’s lives with us. It was, in general, a happy time. It was also largely a time of middle class pursuits.

0141 Molesey - the move (0141T*) – and downsizing to a three bedroom terrace after the four bedroom - two bathroom - detached house in Burton
0238 Hurst Park Social Activities – but gaining a group of good friends with a really lively social life
9173 - Entertaining - Parties - including regular parties
9184 – Entertaining 2 – Food - where my cooking was heavily influenced by Elizabeth David
9163 – Entertaining3 – Wine - and the local wine appreciation society became a focus of our good living

Most important, we put down roots in Molesey – not least in terms of our children’s schooling – which still shape our, and their, lives. As is so often the case with ambitious middle-class families, these roots typically centred around our children; with their school (especially their first school) becoming the main focus of our lives.

9266 Hurst Park School  - the first school they attended was by far the best in the area, with superb teaching
0159 Hurst Park Friends (0159T*) – and it was through our children that we made our new friends
0218 Managing Children (0218T*) – but it was also a time, under the influence of Dr Spock where all of us failed to adequately manage our children's social progress
0300 Molesey Secondary Schools – though, in academic terms, we were lucky that we were able to place our children outside the poor comprehensive system in the locality
0202 School Exchanges – but our relationships were damaged by Sarah’s lessons in the high life learnt in Cap St Martin
9988 Girl Guides (9988T*) – though life progressed at the rather more mundane level

It was also where they, and we, made our longest lasting friendships.
9191 Children's Friends at Molesey (9191T*)

But it might also have been the time when I started to ask more searching questions of myself:

0230 Sexuality and Gender – in a search for my real identity
0228 Aspergers and Manic Depression – along with my other possible afflictions

And gave me my first introduction into the twilight world of the spooks:

0395 - SIS 1 – Secret Intelligence Services

Above all, it was also a time when I started to develop my public service profile through:

0215 Molesey Residents Association    (0215T*) – which was a genuinely revolutionary force in local politics
9182 Canvassing and Winning – but which still needed to win seats on the borough council
0235 Elmbridge Borough Council (0235T*) – and, as a result, I became a borough councillor
0294 Elmbridge Council and Status – giving me real status in the community
9199 Elmbridge Northern Area Planning Committee – and real power locally
9125 Cooperating or Opposing – which I used to good effect

At the same time I tried and, not for the last time, failed to become a millionaire:

9141 Hurst Park Hotel Project – with this ultimately doomed real estate project on the grand scale
9142 Hotel/Leisure Complex at Hampton Court - detailed in this proposal from the time

* Text only versions

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