A SORT of poetic week, last week, for it started with a small package through my letter-box, and inside a book of poems 'An anthology of Modern Verse', published 1921, with many verses in which had been learned at school. Sent to me by school pal, Dr Aubrey Wood, who lived at Norton then, and who remembers the same poems as I do. With a copy of his own, he had spotted this in a book shop and thought it might bring back a few memories for me, which it does indeed. Several marginal notes in pencil, by some previous owner, makes me wonder who he, or she was. No one will ever know, but the poem content is what matters.

I had earlier mentioned to Aubrey that I was always fascinated by Walter de le Mare's poem 'The Listeners' because there always seemed to be some story behind it, and one can imagine just anything really. Aubrey said that Richard de la Mare told him that people often asked just what the poem meant and that his father used to tell them different meanings, probably made up on the spur of the moment, but the true meaning, if there ever was one, never came out, so, something else we shall perhaps never know.

Then came a chance to read the poems in the Gazette (November 22) on the day I was busy cutting them all out and pasting them in my cuttings book, and one especially made me stop, and read it again. And again. And again. 'Remembering Love', by Anne Micklethwaite of Norton. An emotive poem, quite beautiful, and whilst, there are, so many times, quite lovely verses penned by our own local poets, which I always enjoy, this one of Anne's just stopped me in my tracks. Poems don't have to be 'clever' always or conform to what the experts might suggest should be a specific pattern, more often the ones which please, or touch a certain spot in the emotions are those which are just simple and reveal perhaps some innermost feelings. If you haven't read it, poetry lover or not, if you can, try and do so.

And then to complete the trilogy I actually met a poet. So many names seen in the poetry corner I know off by heart, but I have never been able to put a face to them, or know just what age group they come into, or what they look like, only do I know that they do bring pleasure to many folk. That was until Thursday, when into the Gazette office, as I was collecting my weekly copy, came a young man who was greeted with the name 'Nicholas'. Not a lot of them about I thought. I wonder? And indeed it was, and I was introduced to Nicholas Fletcher of Norton whose writings we have been reading for a long time now. Now I have a 'face' to put to a name. It was a pleasure to meet you Nicholas and long may your words keep us entertained.

- I heard from Walter Smith of Huttons Ambo last week - it seemed that my mention of a Malton barber, Ben Paylor, had awakened a memory for him, for Walter had lived next door to Ben in the 30's and 40's. Walter reminded me of the two-air raid shelters on what was a piece of derelict land at the junction of Finkle Street and Newbiggin/Wheelgate, and of Ben Paylor's hairdressers where he and his wife and two daughters, Mary and Ann lived, and Walter, as a boy, with his Mum next door at what was then GE Barton, confectioners of York. Remember the bread vans going around the district with the name on the side? Walter's Mum was manageress of Bartons Malton branch, now a wet fish shop. And Walter had a pet ferret! He was about 8 or 9 at the time. Walter, not the ferret. And he escaped. The ferret, not Walter. Friendly, but with a bit of a wanderlust, and inquisitive, and running down the passage dividing the two shops, paid a visit to Ben Paylor's. Ben's shop emptied quicker than it had ever done before. However, one gent with a knowledge of such things, scooped up the visitor, and was able to return it to Walter's home. Ben's customers slowly returned, now they realised it wasn't a large rat they had seen, and Walter had strict instructions to keep a more watchful eye on his little friend.

- It was back in 1992 that I noticed a NYCC report on Malton, and a map, referred to 'Butchers Corner'. This 'plural' persisted for some years despite my having drawn attention to it, as such things are likely to do. However it seems to have come back to normal now, and usually reference is made correctly to 'Butcher's Corner'. There being only one butcher there anyway in the far-off days when it was first named as such. The letter 's', now without a home, so to speak, has moved its abode to Safeway, and although this is the correct name of the supermarket, it is more usual to her people say they have been, or are going go Safeways. I have a feeling that it might 'stick'. Wonder if Safeway will change its name, and add an 's', as has been known to happen elsewhere?

- USA 'I want a kinder, gentler nation' George Bush (b1924) (Presidential acceptance speech)

- Reminder - Malton, The Prudom Affair, December 18 10.20pm ITV

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, December 13, 2001