Name-calling OK? Yes, I'm a mouthy git!
THERE are three secondary schools in Lynn, and one is treated as a poor relation.
No prizes for guessing that it's Park High.
I've shared that view with others for a long time, but it came back into sharp focus this month when The Queen made her awards to academic achievers from the town.
I am aware of historical reasons for the two top achievers from KES and Springwood being presented before Her Majesty during the Royal Family's Christmas break at Sandringham.
One receives a gold medal and the other an edition of the Complete Works of Shakespeare signed by The Queen. Keepsakes to treasure and reasons for pupils, teachers and parents to be proud.
But I felt for the injury surely felt at this time every year by the ignored Park High. It too must have a top achiever, so why not royal recognition in these more enlightened times?
And why stop at Park High? Perhaps even greater claim for Royal recognition could be made by the secondary school literally on The Queen's doorstep – Smithdon High at Hunstanton. It's all about being fair and breaking down the real, or perceived, barriers of prejudice and privilege.
Paki, Sooty, green shoots... new bandwagons appearing daily for those who want to jump on them. Paki can be an offensive term, but it clearly was not used to offend, and offence was not taken, when it was used by Prince Harry as commentary to accompany camcorder film by him of his Army colleagues.
For Christ sake (no offence intended) they're rough, tough, bullet-dodging, grenade-slinging squaddies. They're up to a bit of innocent name calling. And my experience is that in the Forces almost everyone has a nickname – I bet they have one for Harry.
Prince Charles has had to put up with more than his fair share of ridicule over the years (have you seen his ears?), so shame on the bandwagon jumpers who had a pop last week over his nickname for his polo-playing pal.
And woe-betide any politician who has a slip of the tongue in an unguarded moment.
I have certain physical attributes that have made me a prime candidate for a multitude of nicknames over the years. If you're short, tall, fat, thin, spotty, freckly, bald-headed, red-headed, four-eyed, squint-eyed, fast, slow, pasty, tanned, people will have a name for you that's not your own. It doesn't mean they hate you. These politically-correct bandwagon drivers and passengers (and I'm not calling them that because I hate them) need to lighten up and find something worthwhile to worry about.
A farm worker sprayed the field at the bottom of my garden in a gale, made my dog sick, gave my family sore throats and killed plants and a section of my lawn. That's why farmers face trouble over use of pesticides.
I'm going under the knife this week, so no Purfleet for the next few weeks while I recuperate. You can leave your goodwill (or otherwise) messages below or at purfleet@lynnnews.co.uk
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -7 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Mist
Temperature: 0 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
