Leek, Staffordshire, a busy market town and antique centre.

Victoria Louisa Bailey reviews - 'This is the Life' - by Chris. R. Pownall xxxxxxxx

Chapter 1 is a humorous collection of memoirs from Chris's childhood and adolescent years. It also includes other memories which are placed firmly in Chris's mind. If you lived in Bosley and remember the 'old days' you will find this book both thought provoking and interesting covering numerous subjects, including bird nesting, target practice, children's wooden trolleys, fishing and many, many more covering many of the subjects that we remember from our childhood before the emergence of electronic and computerized gaming machines. Chapter 2 includes information on Congleton Senior Boys School talking of class mates and the surrounding area, if you attended this school also it would be a great memory jogger. Chapter 3 covers memories of Macclesfield and piano lessons, a listing of some of the shops including Mac Fisheries and Martin's Stores with fascinating memories from each of the different shops. Chapter 4 will be of great interest to Leekonline readers as it is memories of Leek, specifically 50 Duke Street, the Co-op grocery store, the Moorlands Hospital, Rudyard Lake and the Grand Cinema (which would be of interest to the younger members of the community of Leek because the building is no longer in existence) and many more. Chapter 5 is entitled Life's Comical Tales which includes a varied collection of different subjects which just need to be read to be appreciated covering subjects from a crafty pee to a missing shoe! Chapters 6 and 7 talk about the family dog Nolly Sprocket and Chris's wife ‘Patty Clogs' while Chapter 8 includes information all about the cruise with P & O Ferries with a hilarious story about a security tag which was left on Chris's best suit! In the final chapter Chris tells us how he ended up in hospital with septicaemia and although Chris witnessed some terrible sights on the stroke ward, he was still able to keep things light during that time witnessing humorous scenarios with the nurses. Chris is now looking forward to his and Pat's second cruise and he holds up his gin and tonic and says
"This is the life"!

A most enjoyable read, thought provoking and definitely down memory lane.