Memories For a Weakened Nation

I remember as a child at school drinking those small bottles of milk. I remember feeling posh wearing a tie made out of silk. I remember running wild under the sun of long summer days. I remember meal tickets at school so I could eat and educate my brain. I remember the Yorkshire hills covered with three feet of snow. I remember those stuffed snakes at the door to keep the cold winds out. I remember playing cricket with all the Pakistani boys for days and enjoying every single minute. I remember using lollipop sticks to make my racing bike sound like it had an engine on it. I remember the hours of fun we could get out of nothing but our own imaginations. I remember going into Woolworths to stock up on mixed sweets before the ABC matinee opened. I remember feeling free and not worrying about Covid I remember camping at Padstow and the preceding eight hour un air-conned journey. I remember shaking hands when I said hello to perfect strangers. I remember the pride of Jessica Ennis winning gold on that magic Saturday for our nation. I remember England in a time when when work felt secure and stable. I remember my country when honour, pride and dignity were words with meanings that mattered. I remember the NHS before it was its budgets were stolen and it’s staff were so cruelly shattered. I remember feeling good knowing that poorer people could get good state aid I remember being able to go to university because a grant for me was made. What the hell happened?