Sketch Crawl - The 'Into' Building, 16th December

South Africa War Memorial, from the Into Building

(0.8 marker in A4 sketchbook)

For some reason I completely forgot to post this drawing, done on the last sketch crawl of the year. The "crawl" was a bit unusual, in that the Tyne & Wear Urban Sketchers were invited to join the Newcastle Painters Group for an informal lunch, before we went up to the top floor of Newcastle University's 'Into' Building to do some sketching.

What a view! I've never been able to see the angel on top of the South Africa War Memorial so clearly before and I'm well pleased with the drawing I made. A good end to the year's sketching.

My Dad's Diary : Thur 21st August 1947

"Still hot & dry.

Harry 19lbs 8ozs.

Garden at night."

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"Austerity starts today. 
Stirling conversion stopped."

The Attlee Government was forced to introduce austerity measures in 1947 to the dismay of Britons who'd had to survive the shortages of six years of war. This link says austerity began on 27th August. My Dad doesn't agree.

My Dad's Diary : Mon 2nd June 1947

"Fine warm morning.

Went to Greenesfield House for Welcome Home Fund ... -15/= & certificate."

At the end of the War, Welcome Home Funds were set up round the country to give financial help to returning servicemen. I suspect my Dad wasn't terribly impressed with 15 shillings and a certificate.

My Dad's Diary : Sun 4th May 1947

"3 yrs ago today.
FLAKKER.  KILLED at Kohima.

Went to Winnie's. Wet all day."

Dad met Flakker Hart at Newcastle Central Station when he was first called up and they went through the War together as firm friends, but in 1944 Flakker was killed at the Battle of Kohima in Burma. There is a circle round the "4" in the diary and shading round that.

Winnie was his sister Winifred who lived in Wallsend.

My Dad's Diary : Wed 30th April 1947

"Took up duties as P/Kr 1 yr ago.

Very cold.

Garden at night."

P/Kr = Paper Keeper, his first job in the Civil Service on return from the War.