Pam Ayres was born at Stanford in the Vale in Oxfordshire. She went to same school as my younger brother in Faringdon and to this day lives down the road from where my family until recently lived.
As kids my older sister was mad about her poems and being a younger sibling, whatever tickled my sister's fancy piqued my interest. 'I wish I'd looked after my teeth' prompted me to brush regularly, morning and night which has held to this day. I visit the dentist about every 7-8 years and it's always a wasted journey because I never need anything doing. So thanks for that Pam. This poem was also voted into the Top 10 of a BBC poll to find the Nation's 100 Favourite Comic Poems.
I was always a massive Roald Dahl fan over Ayres but this changed soon after when I discovered poetry at around the age of 8 thanks to her. My sister learned to read by Grandad teaching her William Blake's The Fly, but I learned to write poetry by reading her stuff basically. I used to write volumes of the stuff, always illustrated, I don't think my parents still have them, but one of my poems 'springtime' is still inscribed on our oak table that we now have in our flat.
A BBC website stated that Bob Dylan inspired Pam Ayres to write poetry, but on a NZ website, Pam gloated that the Lonnie Donegan records her brother played were her inspiration.
This probably makes more sense. A feeling for her rhythm and wit was a good a grounding as any for appreciating Roger McGough as an adult. And this advert, just wouldn't have been the same without her.
Pam Ayres MBE (born 14 March 1947)
4 lip schticks:
Oh, RE, am I pleased to read this?!
I've always loved Pam Ayres but have got absolutely terrible looks from people whenever I've ever admitted it. She's never been exactly fashionable has she?
My mum bought me lots of her books and a couple of records when I was a kid, and they were the only poetry I liked. I particularly liked listening the records when I was sick and tucked up on the sofa.
A few months ago I was home alone with a bad cold and a hot lemon drink and 'Will anybody marry me?' were still the best company.
I always thought that Pam exaggerated her accent, it seems too 'west' for Oxfordshire but it turns out that people from that generation in that area really did sound like that. If you go to Swindon today, you'll only find the older folk that have that 'yokel' accent.
Have you heard this?
Wow Istvanski, that's bloody great. If I'd known I would have had that as the pic. Too late to change?
Brill Cocktails, fantastic you still listen to her now. I might actually search abebooks for more of her stuff. It's not just for kids.
I had 'Some Of Me Poems' for Christmas, c.1976. I've always had a soft spot.
Post a Comment