From Juno, South London
Just found your site and took a peek at Bridget's diary. Really enjoyed some of the snippets of writing up there from the people talking about their lives.
'My favourite chair' is an excellent piece of writing. I love the description of the grandmother - just the detail of 'brown lace-up shoes' says so much. And 'It's a Presbyterian chair'. Wonderful. And it contrasts so perfectly with the image of a mother breast-feeding by a sunlit window.
And I think what's very clever is the way it illustrates that the frugal purchases of the past, are now chic and trendy.
I also enjoyed the wry cynicism of Bernie's piece contrasting Deptford and Hove - perfectly pitched I thought, his tone echoing the mood of someone who's had too much of hardcore city life - throw away comments: 'Brighton's straight-laced aunty' and the comment about the Zimmer frame.
Finally, Katy's memory of her first school day both moved me and made me laugh. I laughed at her remark about the nuns - how they would love the fact that she was a lesbian. (I too am a convent girl). But I felt genuine distress as that poor little girl was shoved into the school wishing her mum would come with her. I felt really anxious. The smell - the vomit and the plimsolls - was very evocative and conjured up school day memories of my own.
Many thanks to all the writers who contributed.
