1998 Verse
July 17th
Thanks to Tony at Number Ten
You've made my mortgage rise again
You say we all have spending money
If it weren't so sad I'd think it was funny!
Now my wallets lacking and my face is pale
I'd do well to go to this boot sale!
July 24th
The kids are home for holidays
Under your feet, almost sixty days!
They want this and they want that
Be easy if you're purse was fat!
Don't you worry, it'll be OK
Come to our boot sale this Saturday!
July 31st We live in an 'I Want' society. At the time the top football clubs were under attack over their 'replica strips'. It seemed that the clubs were often changing their strip to encourage fans to keep up with the latest club 'look'!
My Dad wants an 'S' reg. car
My Mum says he's gone too far
My Brother wants football gear
That seems to change every year
For all I want, it may seem funny
Go to this boot sale; make some money!
August 7th
Going abroad very soon?
Holiday beaches? Hotel room?
Maybe you are holidaying here
Even B&B can be quite dear
All that sun and jugs of ale
You'd do well to come to our boot sale!
August 14th
We chose to go abroad this year
Having a great time - Wish you were here!
Dad gives us money to go away!
Punishing the plastic for another day!
When the bill comes he'll need some loot
We'll be off to the Saturday car boot!
August 21st On the weekend of 21st of August I published this under the pen-name 'A. Father' rather than the Bard. It seemed to sum up the feeling after the terrible bombing in Omagh, Northern Ireland. It remains to this day a verse that people remember.
Dedicated to those who lost loved ones,
particularly children, last Saturday in Omagh.
Turn back the clock
To before they were gone
So we can put right
All that was wrong
Turn back the clock
To sunnier days
When peace was a promise
In so many ways
Turn back the clock
I know it can't be
Turn back the clock
And let it be ME.
A. Father
August 28th
We're off out on Bank Holiday Monday
It'll be great; we'll have a real fun-day
The weatherman says the sun will shine
Dad packs an umbrella every time
He's even promised that he will pay
From money made on Saturday!
September 4th
Back to school, it's that time of year
That new uniform, not cheap I fear!
Pen and pencils, Geometry set
And all the things I have to get
For all I need, Mum will say:
"Look round the boot sale on Saturday!"
September 11th Many of our local towns are loosing their traditional shops to out-of-town malls. Parking charges and over-zelous Traffic Wardens introduced by local councils are much to blame for the decline. Baldock has been particularly hard hit, traditional shops have been replaced by charity outlets, restaurants and estate agents. A few shops cling on bravely.
A man I knew had a shop
In an empty local town
Rent and rates kept going up
Few customers came around
Someone mentioned our boot sale
I think his name was Frank
Now he has his shop in a Transit van
And money in the bank!
September 18th
Mark is off to Uni
So is Mary-Anne
They are sharing a bed-sit
They need a frying pan!
They also need many things
What with the tuition fee?
They'd better come to our boot sale
To help with their degree!
September 25th The Clinton saga made headlines here as well!
Monica Lewinski kept 'that' dress
Under her mothers bed
I bet that now Clinton wishes
She'd sold it in a boot sale instead
October 2nd
It's conference time in Blackpool
Our leaders having fun
Out here in the 'real world'
Money is hard won
So if you want a bargain
Or just a little cash
Fill the boot or come to look
And to our boot sale dash!
October 9th
My Telly's started sulking
Thanks to digital from 'Sky'
It can't cope with all the channels
It doesn't want to try
I've given it an ultimatum
All to no avail
It'll go in the boot and off we'll shoot
Down to the Saturday boot sale!
October 16th
All in all it's been a very strange year
We had no summer or at least it would appear
Clinton had his Monica, Cook traded-in his wife
The world suffered tragedies, usual battles and strife
Our boot sale season has come to a close
We'll be back next April, as everybody knows
Thanks for your custom, we do try hard
Happy Christmas from the 'Baldock Bard'