7 Severn

The park featured on an almost weekly basis in my early days. At the time, there was a Boating Shed at the poolside. Although I don’t  recall ever using the boats here… Or let loose, would be more like it for the time. I was hyper and at times – reckless.

The pool was very popular with local fishermen in those days (1970’s – 80’s). It also became my first introduction to the sport with my own kit.

Here’s the story of my first fishing venture at this pool. I love sharing this particular story, as it fits with the whole wellbeing theme. Not necessarily the act of fishing, but the overall attitude in the moment. You will see what I mean as you read on.

It would have been around 1975-76. My dad told me I’d be able to join him and one of my brothers on a future weekend fishing trip. I’m 5 or 6 years old at the time and excited about going on this adventure.

As the time grew nearer for the fishing trip. My dad would teach me about the equipment we’d be using. Some of which was too big for me to handle in practice.

He decided to buy me my own Starter Kit: – 6ft 2 piece rod; reel and line; small selection of floats and a pot of shots. I remember the day it was delivered. As it came in – what was to me – a huge envelope already set up.

So now the up-and-coming adventure was more real to me. I had my own kit and was really looking forward to it. Around a couple weeks beforehand. I went through the entire set of equipment we had with my dad. Then went with him to buy any replacements. We would get the bait on the day.

Finally. It was the day of our fishing trip. I was up early and all over the fishing equipment. Even taking out of the shed everything we would take with us, and lining it up in the yard, ready for our trip.

I’d say we got to the poolside around 10am and my dad picked his favourite spot near to the Boating Shed. I was shown how to set up and warned on how to behave whilst at the poolside. There were a few others there also to consider.

We set about fishing and after a short while, my dad got up and said he’d go around the pool to see who else was around and how they were getting on.

After a short while longer. A short conversation with my brother went something like this: –
Brother: “Come on, let’s pack the kit away and go.”
Me: “What? We just got here.”
Brother: “Dad’s waiting for us in The Bell (a public house) around the corner.”
Me: “How come.”
Brother: “This is what we do. We set up, he goes and we follow. He’s testing, to see how long it takes for us to work it out.”
Me: “Oh.”
Brother: “He’s having a day out with us, while mom has a day with our sisters.”

So we pack the kit away and head for The Bell. When we get there. My Dad – who is standing amidst refreshments for each of us – in the Hallway with a big smile on his face – looks up at the clock and says: “twenty minutes… not bad!”

Times certainly were different in those days.

You see, I was thinking about myself and what I get out of it – which is Ego. My dad on the other hand, was thinking of the collective.

This was probably my first encounter with mindfulness.
At once. I was now living in the present moment. Aware of the benefits to be had, by all in my world.

The reveal mentioned in West Smethwick Park – Part One: Wood Carvings.

In the attached album, you will see a small number of carvings, as we walk around the pool area. They are within the remaining trunk stumps of felled trees and are done by chainsaw. On my walk, four were completed. I was told by a lady walking her dog at the time, that there are ten planned in total.

Thank you for reading.

In our next post we’re visiting Lewisham Park Smethwick.