The "Almanac"

THE ALMANAC

In 1994 I was a a 38 year old Nurse Tutor. Life was very very busy, a young family, my nurse wife working shifts, I was teaching every day, planning lessons, marking, feeding babies, restless disturbed nights. 

The School of Nursing and Midwifery was a busy place - there was lots of politics, eccentric characters, rules, regulations, meetings and hierarchies. 

I was tired, a bit stressed, and in response to this my coping mechanisms were perhaps (characteristically) a little flippant and rebellious. 

And so I wrote and embarked on the very first Almanac. It was the "Private Eye" of the Mid and West Wales School of  Nursing and Midwifery, a parody and irreverent spoof of events and staff. It was (I would like to think)  uncompromising and cutting. Then there was no Email - no Internet - I simply left Hard-copies around on desks and tables. It went what would be called today "Viral". Most laughed, some were naturally offended.  

The Editors of the Almanac were of course anonymous - many tried to guess, and there were eventually many conspirators (particularly my wife Janet) who contributed to many later editions, often styled on a theme - Star Wars, The Christmas Carol, Harry Potter.  Despite its notoriety many (some very senior staff) never knew who the Almanac Editors were?  

Today I attended a joint lunchtime buffet to acknowledge my and a colleagues  imminent retirement. In celebration, and after a break of 10 years, I released the final Almanac via Email  Walking down the corridor in the University to the large room where the retirement buffet was to be held I found myself surprisingly nervous. The room was packed, and the usual complimentary speeches were made. In due course I made my response - and at the end announced, with what I would like to think was a touch of a theatrical flourish (and just a tad camp) that I was the Editor of the Almanac.

What I didn't expect was the standing ovation, applause, and a spontaneous roar of laughter.

It was surprisingly emotional......

Laugh and the World Laughs with you - cry and cry alone.

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ALMANAC PUBLISHING 2015

PRESENTS THE FINAL, LAST, NEVER TO BE REPEATED EDITION

TITLED

“OLIVER & OLIVIA”

 AT THE COLLEGE OF HUMAN AND HEALTH SCIENCE

(hereafter known as the  CHHS  and be damned to whatever APA may say)

AKA

THE WORKHOUSE

IN THE STYLE OF DICKENS

Oliver’s & Olivia’s
LAST Week in the WORKHOUSE

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Human Science? Who came up with that crap. Psychology, Sociology – the study of people who don’t need to be studied by people who do need to be studied. Lets face it, when your ill and throwing up copiously you don’t call for a Psychologist, you call for a Nurse or Paramedic. When you urgently need a bedpan a Sociologist is about as useful as a Chocolate Tea Pot. The Editors of the Almanac say “Human Science our arse” let’s talk about people who do something useful!

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If they had only learnt a little less, how infinitely better they might have taught much more!

Its the suggested "Staff" casting that causes the uproar :o)