Bucket on t' Stairs

Bucket on t' Stairs is the story of a deaf kid growing up in the poverty of West Yorkshire in the 1950s and 1960s in a one-up, one-down house in industrial Batley. He got his first hearing aid at eight and moved from bottom to top of his class. He was awarded a place at Batley Boys Grammar School without having to take the 11-plus examination. He graduated from Reading University and spent his working life as an Environmental Health Officer. Many of his legislative innovations were adopted nationally by the British Government.Of the book, Neil says, "I tell my story in Yorkshire dialect. That some may not understand it initially troubled me but my publisher encouraged it because over time proud, broad Yorkshire has become diluted. The book brings it back to life. I have laughed recounting the amusing stories and wiped away tears remembering the sad. It has been an emotional return. The nineteen-fifties and sixties were over half a century ago but I enjoyed every minute re-living them."Now a retiree Neil travels between Spain and Belgium according to the season. He walks, swims, plays guitar and gigs in folk and rock bands. Writing is his new passion.

Autorentext
Bucket on t' Stairs: Growing up as a deaf kid in West Yorkshire in the 1950s and 1960s, is the story of Neil's early life in a two-roomed house in industrial Batley in West Yorkshire. He got his first hearing aid at eight and was top of his class for the rest of his time in Juniors. He was awarded a place at the prestigious Batley Boys Grammar School without having to take the 11-plus examination. He graduated from Reading University and spent his working life as an Environmental Health Officer. Many of his legislative innovations were adopted nationally by the British Government. Of the book, Neil says, "To create authenticity in Yorkshire life my story is told in Yorkshire dialect. That some may not understand it initially troubled me but my publisher encouraged it because over time proud, broad Yorkshire has become diluted. The book brings it back to life. I have laughed recounting the amusing stories and wiped away tears remembering the sad. It has been an emotional return. The nineteen-fifties and sixties were over half a century ago but I enjoyed every minute re-living them."Now a retiree Neil travels between Spain and Belgium according to the season. He walks, cycles, swims, plays guitar and gigs in folk and rock bands. Writing is his new passion. His second book scheduled for Summer 2026 is A Life of Grime. ................Reviews Bucket on t' Stairs"Oooo, I absolutely love your book which I have finished. So many memories for me too, so many names and places. Love the St Lukes tales aw and you and Nigel Lockwood up to tricks haha. BVC Martin St James I was there the night you Nigel and Nick Sandom were there and 'went under'. Oo did we laugh. I went on stage couldn't go under but Diane Bailey my best pal straight under, kissing different men and her hand stuck to the wall ... such hilarity, great times. Your Dad I loved him to bits and visited Sat afternoons when he would tell stories and had me in fits of laughter. He always made me a Christmas cake and I can smell it now. He was my Dads bookies runner when Dad couldn't get out, he was marvellous with him. Gregory Street stories, loved them. Miss McGowan I remember her being killed so very sad and you really liked her. Miss Reavley strict but a good Head. Your Mum was a fine seamstress and altered clothes for Mum and me. Can't wait to read it again page by page in hand. Cheers and keep thissen warm!" Wendy UKMore reviews here: https://ramblingrose.eu/index.php?p=1_32_neil-marsden