Road to the Dales: The Story of a Yorkshire Lad by Gervase Phinn
In his inimitably prosaic manner, Phinn recounts the life of an ordinary boy, who met some extraordinary people, and the journey he was able to embark on as a result of the many doors opened for him in his early life.
Childhood
Phinn grows up in the none too attractive steelworks city of Rotherham. We meet his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sister. They all seem special in their various ways.
We also get to know his teachers in the secondary modern school he attended after failing his Eleven Plus exam. These were enthusiastic about their subjects and, above all, believed that, with hard work, Gervase could pass his O-levels and progress well academically.
As a child, he enjoyed holidays in Blackpool, explored the hills around his home, experienced bullying and earned some money with part-time jobs.
I worked on the post during the Christmas holidays. This was my first experience of the world of work.
I learnt a great deal about life, work and human nature in a bread factory.
Gervase did put effort into his school work and was able to join the sixth form at Oakwood Technical High School for Boys, where he achieved good A-level results. He then studied at Leeds University and gained a degree and a certificate in education.
Gervase Phinn, the person
As a result of his Irish parentage, Phinn was raised as a practising Catholic. His open-minded faith in God colours his appreciation of the created world. But we also see it in his dealings with the children at the centre of his professional life as a teacher and school inspector. Forever kind-hearted, generous, believing the best and seeing the value of even the simplest souls.
Written in a lively style, with a touch of humour and doubtlessly a bit of exaggeration, this book is a refreshing insight into the life of an unexceptional boy who achieves great goals. It is also an excellent introduction to Phinn’s series of books about life in The Dales and other works.