From 1975 until 1990 cover when I was born until I almost left school. School was great, I was taught morals, assembly where we sang hymns. Kindness, compassion, caring was all encouraged. Learned about other cultures. Kids came to school with trousers 1/2 way up their legs https://twitter.com/mrsmthatcher/status/1279526045146849287

parents unable to afford new ones. We welcomed refugees from Vietnam who were amazing, couldn’t speak a word of English but we didn’t even notice or care. They needed our help and we loved them all. There were kids in my class with all kinds of disabilities. None of it mattered

to any of us. They all joined in at play time #AllWereEqual We were encouraged to be open, friendly and happy. Yes, there were a few who would get the belt off the head master. That wasn’t good. I remember feeling alot of anxiety seeing my friends come out the office in tears.

We gave them alot of compassion and tried to rally round and help. The teachers were fantastic. They had time, loved their jobs, loved us. Always had smiles on their faces and my first school in particular was fantastic. I’m still friends with alot of ppl from then and we all say

we are probably the last who enjoyed playing out in the street until your Mam shouted you in. I felt 100% safe. We played out on our bikes, roller boots, built igloos in the snow, water fights with washing up liquid bottles, curby, skipped. A ball and a piece of rope. That was it

No computer games. Barely any violence on our screens. Some of my friends were gay. We knew it too. It wasn’t rammed down our throats. They were never treated differently. It was accepted. I didn’t have any lessons on the subject. We saw drag queens on t.v, Boy George was no.1

Karma chameleon was on TOTP’s (was he a girl or a boy?) Nobody cared. He was great. If you wanted a skinhead, mohawk, ripped clothes, grolsch bottle tops on your shoes, whatever! you did it. We were FREE to express whoever we wanted to be. I’m now starting to sound like my Mam.

I remember the days!!! Oh!! if only we could bring them back..