Dear Diary
The last few years of the 1940’s were really interesting.
Firstly, I was born! That happened in October 1946 apparently at 6:30am. My Mum later said that I arrived just in time for breakfast. This interest in food is with me to this day!
Obviously dates were important to my Mum and Dad because they made some notes that also in 1946, I offered my first smile. In 1947, I showed a first tooth; said “Da Da”; crawled and stood up. In 1948 I started walking. They were probably very proud of me at the time, but may have regretted it later when they realized how much trouble a walking Colin can get into!
Why was I called Colin? The story goes that my parents were expecting another girl (they already had Valerie) and had planned names accordingly. When I arrived, it apparently caught them totally off guard.
With only two varieties of babies available, you would think they would have planned better however, my Dad rushed out and bought a Radio Times* and started going through it looking for names. There was a pianist called Colin Yearsley (spelling uncertain) doing a concert one evening and they apparently liked the name! If the Radio Times had given his middle name, perhaps I would also have had one of those!
Valerie was born exactly 3yrs before me …… to the day! Here we are in Colwyn Bay enjoying ice creams in 1949!
* The “Radio Times” was a weekly guide to the programs scheduled on BBC Radio. Note that at this time, there was only the BBC producing radio programs in England, and there was no television.
A New Direction Perhaps? 
Oh my gosh, that picture is too cute!! 🙂
I like the story behind your name. Now I know why you are such a morning person, you came into the world bright and early! :
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🙂
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Wow, this is weird! My sister-in-law’s name is Valery, and her son is Collin — different spellings, but still, the same basic names in one family. 🙂 I enjoyed your post today, Colin! (Notice I got your name right?! LOL). My first word, I’m ashamed to admit, was a curse word, 😉
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Well you didn’t need to admit to the curse word but, as you did, be appropriately ashamed! 🙂
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The story of your birth and name is a good one. I like your given name. It sounds good, short and easy to spell. Seeing how you write which is direct, to the point and short, I think your name is fitting.
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Thank you for all the nice comments. Easy to spell? I have already corrected one “Collin” re this Post! As for being direct, to the point and short? That has created some challenges over the years however, I do believe that if you give me some listening time, whatever message I am trying to convey will be loud and clear. 🙂
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I like the loud and clear and that you do not hem and haw about things. That’s a good way to deal with a problem or question or what ever. 🙂
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I think so, and it has served me well. 🙂
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Interesting, I didn’t know that about you. See how much you learn reading your parents blog, it’s almost liking reading their diary so be careful because I do read every blog I may not comment but I read all of them and this new one is especially interesting to me. Love you Dad❤
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Love you too Mel. Enjoy the readings!
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How adorable this pic 🙂 being a 60’s baby i missed this..although i had a similar red coat..i was first born and given my Mums name..not out of tradition either..so clearly my parents had none to choose from! yet three more were born after me and they managed 🙂 Fozziemum (which by the way is NOT my name haaha )
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It’s interesting that we generally take our names, and those of others, for granted, and yet so many (probably all) have some kind of story behind them! 🙂
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I agree.. our names many moons ago were incredibly symbolic..and now we have some that defy belief 🙂
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Symbolic? Of what? A total lack of forethought and imagination? Perhaps you meant 1000’s of years ago?
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Oh that i do..now it is a laugh..i have invented my own name for the uncontrollable hipster children..when hubby and i see them i always say “there goes Piffniffity carrying on because her soy babycinno was too cold…..” these stupid names..i mean back when your name was tied to your job or standing..:)
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My! You must really be old (forget the 60’s baby nonsense) if you can remember back to professions dictating names!
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Hahaha born 61 ..but have been an avid reader and sticky beak all my life 🙂 so as my Mum used to say BEV senior..pppftt i was always an old soul 🙂
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Oh wow. I had a coat like Valerie’s but my hat was a knitted bonnet that fitted squarely to my head and buttoned under the chin.
Funny how our names are picked. I was expected to be a boy and would be called Robert. Mum was reading a book about a girl and her horse (glad they settled for Diana!) 🙂
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