It started badly.
While I was there on time the main man was not. A goodbye presentation at the same time reflecting his organisational powers. The tables were surrounded by our lot, in my half asleep state (it was my siesta time after all) I hardly noticed some of them. The top table was full of organised chaos awaiting those absurd questions that are not only out of place but sound as if they were replies from Theresa May.
We waited.
People fiddled with pieces of paper, sipped drinks while the females had nothing to discussbut discussed it anyway.
We waited.
He began discussing local Mills, all gone bar one or two. My eyes opened enough to acknowledge this point but failed to revive as Mills, flour mills that is, hold little interest for me.
We waited.
The one in charge glanced at the clock and she came to the conclusion we could get most things done and dusted quicker if we began now rather than wait any longer, otherwise he might join in.
She next to her began with comments re upcoming events she runs and the 'wonderful work of the volunteers without which nothing could be achieved.' Meaning she wanted help with the events.
A few minutes past with the discussion which did not come across my path so I kept very quiet while they blethered on.
Next Boss one gave a short mention to her ideas, none of which I remember for some reason. The acoustics are poor and my hearing does not like them so I missed much of this so quietly slipped under the table unnoticed.
Then a short discussion on upcoming events which I could not hear. This was short and did not mention the big one nor me in any way, so I remained prone on the floor.
We waited again.
She went to phone him and disappeared for a while.
We waited.
Convinced she had gone to cafe for coffee we waited.
Eventually she returned claiming he was on the way.
We waited.
I now had enough waiting and talk of mills, few spoke while I pondered on what one lass was scribbling down throughout the meeting. Most of this did not involve her yet she has pages of notes, I merely had delirium tremors and began to see spiders on the ceiling.
He arrived and having sorted his paperwork began.
The enlightening talk (he said) concerned the next five year plan. For some reason I saw us all in Blue Military uniforms holding little red books in our hands, but that might have been just delirium again.
Page after page of the long term aims were presented all of which forgot one little thing, no money! On top of this there is the Brext effect and the dirty big hotel being built, probably from Autumn, opposite our site which will restrict visitors, hamper buses of schoolkids and merely line some councillors pockets, allegedly.
The last redesign was magnificent but failed as George Osborn became Chancellor and brought in austerity for everyone bar himself. Our money was cut then cut then cut, we now do it alone with a wee grant!
This plan may not arrive, if it does it will take five years to begin let alone finish.
Nevertheless the fact that none of this will happen in our lifetime did not stop questions being raised that may or may not be required in the distant future.
Sipping slowly on the quarter bottle of 'White horse' that I had brought for emergency I sat quietly muttering to myself as the discussion concerned what the Hall looked like 20 years ago or indeed what would happen if.....
I could take no more, I slipped into consciousness and slipped out the door and made my way to Tesco's where reality returned to me once more.
Tomorrow I have to go back to the museum and do it for real this time, I look forward to hearing peoples interesting comments re the meeting, I really do...
Some men love having a son, they can do so much with this heart treasure, they look forward to the day their son becomes something of worth such as a great footballer, this however costs. On Sunday I passed the park where the local non-league teams under 7's were playing (I guess the age from their appearance). On either side of the pitch stood a motley collection of persons slowly freezing to death while their son began the ten year slog to make it to the top. Wrapped in their winter best they cheered, clapped and encouraged within the limits of the rules, too much interference causes trouble so parents are urged to keep it quiet at this level, and at the same time drank the umpteenth cup of coffee from the stall that cleverly parks itself in the middle of the pitches.
It amazes me these kids, when we were eight years old we chased the ball as a group, usually around forty of us at school, and had no idea what to do when we got it bar kick it, anywhere! The guys playing here were well coached, kept to their positions more or less and were learning to kick the ball properly. On occasions it is clear one or two of these lads will make it high up in years to come, others will drift into park football or drink, drugs or women problems like the majority however, but what fun getting there! Dad will age slowly while his body succumbs to frostbite in winter and sunburn in summer with little hope of ever seeing his son score the winning goal in a cup final. He will think at the moment it is however worth it!
Today was museum meeting day. This can be enlightening, with info on the future exhibitions, shop work, marketing but it can also be worryingly slow if he or she asks that daft question and he is in attendance to answer it slowly and with added repetitions while he or she argues the case meaninglessly to win a point. Today however the manager was not with us so that saved us thirty minutes!
Info on the next few exhibitions was offered, talk on what to do with money in the shop, discussion with my suggestions with what to do with suffragettes came to nothing as a dozen women disagreed with my suggestion, there are no railings available either, and so on until happy group fled the scene leaving the clearing up to the staff.
Back tomorrow to show my cheery welcoming skills to all and sundry, especially the women who will be checking up on the half term holiday activities so they can dump the brats for an hour or so. I expect a lot of phone calls and visits tomorrow regarding that. Then I will have time to myself, unless I get snowed in of course.
It was chauffeur driven to Chelmsford for me today. Yes indeed a meeting concerning a Great War exhibition, of sorts. This was the second meeting apparently and as such little had been formed, nothing decided, and it seems to my little mind that is still the case. A glance around the room at people from several museums, bodies, and interested parties (me) told me that several wished to increase the tempo of the meeting. Leaflets, websites, educational resources, who do we aim at, objectives, these were some items discussed in a manner that forced me to yawn with my mouth closed. Funding I knew I would not comprehend, neither did anyone else, and the discussion dragged on leaving me amazed that so many people had so much time to give, and waste. Sadly I am sure they did not have that time and endured for the sake of the project, knowing that speed, direction and result will appear, maybe money also. The project to commemorate the Greta War is indeed a huge one, but when so many people are coming from differing angles possibly now is the time to break up into small groups and develop differing aspects that way, but I managed not to say anything, just in case I was right.
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