Daisy Daisy Give me your answer do
I’m half-crazy over the love of you
It won’t be a stylish marriage
I can’t afford the carriage
But you’ll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle made for two
School shows, the end of your spectacular where all the pupils get to invite their parents in and show off their stage skills. I was in Primary 4 by this time, and our class were doing Blairtummock Old Time Music Hall. My role was to link the different parts of our show, and I knew I was good at it.We were all excited by it and, quietly, the classes all competed on who was going to do the best show.
Considering I had only recently returned to Blairtummock, I was amazed when Miss Anderson (later Mrs Graham) my teacher suggested to Mr Ward, the headmaster, that I was able to MC the whole show – all primaries. She felt that my ability in our show could be carried through to present the full school show. Mr Ward came along to our rehearsals, saw it and agreed. This was a big moment, that foreshadowed life in future years. It was also weird that I was good at it, as I was already quite insecure and shy, and did not like to stand out. A pupil had never been Master of ceremonies (MC) of the whole show, and a Primary 4 pupil had never had such a prominent position at all.
Rehearsals went on, playground rivalries sparked up between classes about who was going to be better. Our show had old favourites like Daisy Daisy, and My old man as well as songs from a show called Alvida and the magician’s cape. The whole class knew we were good at these, we also knew that what we were doing was different from anything any other class was doing. School rivalry at its finest. We enjoyed our rehearsals, as a class and we all looked forward to the big show.
When it arrived, we were all peeking out at our parents, and grandparents and neighbours and friends all piling into the vast hall, now filled with row after row of plastic seats.
The buzz in the air got us even more excited, and nervous. People all seemed to be happy.
When it came time for the show to open, I got to stand in front of the 20’ high curtains that hid the wonders of all the performances from the audience.
Mr Ward, towering next to me, kept whispering to me to relax and all would be ok. I was not worried; I knew what I was to do, and I was looking forward to it.
“Good evening everyone, and welcome to Blairtummock Primary School show. “said Mr Ward. “It has been brilliant watching our pupils – your children – prepare for this evening. And we are really excited. It also my honour to introduce one of our Primary 4 pupils, Stuart Patterson…”
“Good evening everyone…” I said.
“Shh Stuart, haha, “ said Mr Ward. “Your turn is coming. He is very eager to get on with the show.”
I looked at him and wondered why he never got that I was just saying hello, as that was polite.
Anyway, Mr Ward went through some formalities and, eventually, handed over to me.
“Good evening everyone, and welcome to Blairtummock Primary School end of year show. It is my honour to be introducing each of the years and I’m sure you will be as pleased as we are at the amount of work they have all put into their performances. I have seen them all as we rehearsed this, and I have to say “Blairtummock Old Time Music Hall” is still my favourite. It is my class’ show, but I am not biased.
Anyway, to open the evening please welcome Primary 1a and 1b…”
And that was it, my first ever time standing on a platform / stage and leading a meeting. Little did I know how big a part in my life that early preparation would play in the years to come.
My posts have been a little bit more INFREQUENT lately as I endeavour to finish a book of my story.
This POST is part of a wider collection to show the journey that would eventually lead me to the cross of Jesus Christ, my personal redemption, and my journey of faith afterwards. If you would like to know more of my story, please click on my “About” page and take it from there.
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I have now released an early edition of my story, Completing the Tenner.
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Stuart Patterson
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Completing the Tenner 