The flotsam and jetsam of the past wash up on the shores of our lives on a daily basis, but not always quite so literally as in my recent experience. Clearing away the litter that the wind blows onto our driveway earlier this week, I was intrigued to find several newspaper fragments of an edition of the Evening News from 1968.
It wasn’t in very good condition and was covered in some rather dubious-looking substances, so I tidied it away and thought nothing more of it. However, this morning some more has appeared, neither less aged nor more hygienic than its predecessor, this time covering England’s progress in the World Cup from the perspective of 14 July 1966.
There are few things in life more ephemeral than yesterday’s newspaper, but in this case I think I might have encountered one. Yesteryear’s fish & chip wrapping, or rabbit hutch lining, or attic storage material? Retired from its mundane purpose for one last chance to dance on the wind before its inevitable transformation to ashes.
Old News
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How evocative! Quite poetic (apart from the dubious stains).
Blimey, I’m sure there are people out there who would gladly part with a few bob for your newly found ephemera.
I’d hang onto it if I were you.
We bought a new sofa the other week and ripped open the old sofa (it was really in a bad condition; bought 2nd hand, lived in by 2 adults for 10 years and 3 children for 6,5 and 1 years respectively)
Inside was no money whatsoever, about 20 pens, a massive knitting needle and a copy of the Daily Mirror from 1996
I have absolutely no recollection of buying a Mirror ever and my wife denies all knowledge of the knitting needle. So it remains a mystery.
You’ll be pleased to note that Harry Enfield was going to marry his girlfriend and Alan Shearer was scoring for Newcastle against Liverpool.
Any clues as to where your 1966 paper came from?
Jean – yeah, it really fired my imagination.
Timbo – I don’t think I’ve really emphasised just quite how fragmented and horrible it is. It went straight into the bin and I’m now considering disinfecting the scanner.
Paul – none whatsoever. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, I’m going to assume that The Doctor put it there and that I have to keep an eye out for statues in the vicinity.