The Origin of the name "Chalky" and the 'Webb' of intrigue.......

Back in those early heady days at Sammies, we were preoccupied with such pressing matters as getting pole position in the PE changing rooms, by queueing up outside of there a good ten minutes before the bell rang at the end of the mid morning playtime. Making fun of the latest on going repairs to Mr. Jelfs war torn, patched up rag-tag suit, and wondering how on earth Mr.Whittle got away with wearing those Speedos to our swimming lessons on a Monday morning?  

Another mate from back in the day who I remember very well is Stuart Webb. More or less from the start of my first year at Sammies I used to sit next to Stuart in class, and was transfixed to watch his handwriting. I'm left handed, so consequently my scribing made Egyptian hieroglyphics look like block capitals! Stuart's handwriting on the 'other hand' was impeccable. So where I would be berated by Mrs. Crisp in english for handing in work which was indecipherable, Stuart's work always got all the plaudits!

Mr. Stuart Webb

It just so happened that unbeknown to us, that both our dads worked on the railway. Stuart's dad, Ron had worked on there for quite a few year years, and my dad also was known to do some railway work from time to time on a few occasions! When the day came when we asked each other what our dads did for a living, it was a pleasant surprise, and was great to go home and ask my dad about Stuart's dad.

my dad was economical, and told me that Stuart's dad was a character and etc... So the following day I went to school and we both regaled in stories about our dads. But Stuart went one better than I did. Ron had told Stuart about our family nickname "Chalky" It seemed that from that day forward I had transcended from being plain old "Alan Richard" and became Chalky across the school. It didn't really matter to the haters either, when they slagged me off they even replaced Alan with Chalky! I eventually got to go Stuart's palatial house and met Stuart's dad, who I thought was amazing. I came home and was full of stories about how great Stuart's dad was and etc. Stuart tried to show me how to fish at the canal, but after my line became so entangled past the point of no return we gave it up as a bad job!! 

At eighteen I started working on the railway. I got to meet Stuart's dad Ron once again. back then, I just started on the railway as an engineer, I was awkward, shy and extremely nervous, but Ron was really good to me. He helped me out, and gave me sound advice when I needed it. I was very grateful for Ron's help because it helped keep me in a job, and I was always appreciative of that fact. Ron was always very proud of Stuart. When I would ask him about Stuart, Ron's face would light up as he talked about him.

It was a very happy surprise to see Stuart on Facebook. If you happen to read Stuart's posts then you'll know how important Stuart's son is to him. I can't help but be touched by Stuart's passion and devotion.

If only I could have come up with a great nickname for Stuart Webb?

Howabout "doting father?"

That's probably the greatest compliment I could ever pay you mate ; )