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Sunday 5 August 2012

Climbing frames and falling down

So here is my story for Sian's Storytelling Sunday 2, the Words, the Pictures, for August.
This photo was taken by me, aged about 10 years old (1976!) and these were my two best friends at the time, Deborah Whittaker on the left and Judith Johnston (or Juggles as it says on the back of the photo) on the right.

Here is another photo taken at the same climbing frame, with Jennifer Baker on the left, my little sister Pippa, then Sara Williams and then Claire Steadman.

So, is this story about my friends at Chaulden Junior School? Well no! Actually it is a story about the climbing frame! The highest bar, which they are standing under.

As children do, I was playing on it, with Judith and we were both hanging upside down. I went to swing myself up and let go with my hands - oops! I landed straight on my head, knocking out one of my front teeth in the process. Sara was there too and she helped to take me into the classroom; my mum was called to the school and I was taken to the dentist to see if the tooth could be implanted back. Unfortunately not. I looked like Donald Duck for about three weeks, but once the swelling had gone down I was fitted for a false tooth on a plate. I then spent the next three years poking it out a people to 'gross them out', especially when I was playing as goalkeeper in the girls' netball team - it certainly put people off! Once I hit thirteen I was sent off to the orthodontist, who strapped me into braces and pulled all my teeth round to fill in the hole. After nearly three years (now age 16) I had a proper tooth in the middle again and once it was capped it looked like a real front tooth!

There were two reasons for this story this weekend - one, I found the photos whilst I was tidying up and thought it was quite a good story to write down so I don't forget it and two, I am off to the dentist again on Tuesday as I have cracked and broken a piece off one of my back double teeth! I hate going to the dentist, but I do hope he can rescue this tooth for me!

For some more stories, head on over to Sian's blog - read some brilliant stories, leave a comment and join in with your own story too! Thanks for reading and see you next month :-)

19 comments:

Jane said...

great photos, I hope the trip to dentist goes ok x

Maria Ontiveros said...

Glad you got the story down on paper - that second photo is priceless!
Rinda

Missus Wookie said...

How fun to have photos at school from when you were ten! Often think of the difference between how many photos must be taken in schools/with school friends and 'when I were a lass' :lol:

Ugh on the dentist visit but I hope it goes smoothly and they can help.

Amy said...

Oooh, yes, your photos are quite fabulous! I know what you mean about the dentist, it isn't my favourite visit either.

Mary B said...

Your story of poking the tooth out to put the opposing team off really made me giggle Thanks for sharing this

furrypig said...

I also hate the dentist and keep meaning to go but haven't now for 3 years... how bad is that!

Irene said...

Wonderful photographs and quite a story. And how sporty of you to use your false tooth to your advantage!
Hope the dentist can fix your tooth.

Wanda said...

I had one of those single tooth plates too. My problem was that it broke whenever I ate ice cream. It only took twice for me to learn to remove it before having ice cream. Finally it got to a place where it couldn't be repaired and I gave up wearing it. Many years later I had the space filled with a bridge so my smile was once again populated with a full set of teeth!

Sian said...

Ooh, best of luck at the dentist this week.

I can only agree with everyone else - you have such a wonderfully evocative collection of childhood pictures. They really speak to me - just my vintage!

Thanks for your toothy tale today Becky

scrappyjacky said...

Good luck with the dentist....I just hate going....and have an appointment tomorrow!!

Lou said...

oooh sounds like a painful fall. Great story.

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

I hate the dentist too, hope it's a successful visit. Isn't it great to have these little snapshots of our childhoods. I'm sharing seventies photos today as well :o)

Alison said...

I love these photos you keep finding Becky...good luck with the Dentist tomorrow
Alison xx

Beverly said...

I fell from bars like that but landed on my back knocking the breath out of me...very scary! Good luck with the dental repair :)

alexa said...

I was always nervous about bars like these as a child and I understand why now! Hoping the dentist has worked magic on your recent problem, as happened in the past. What is it about older photos which gives them such an 'Ahh!' factor?

Melissa said...

Your story reminds me of the time I was swinging on a bar & fell down & broke my glasses! Luckily no glass got in my eye. I hadn't thought of that story in a while since I don't have a photo of that playground! I'll have to get that story recorded, too. Thanks for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

I don't know anyone who likes the dentist :-( I wonder how they decide to go into a profession where most people cringe at going to see them!?!?

Anonymous said...

Ouch! What neat pictures to have. I'm with you on the dentist bit - hope all went well with the visit.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

These photos are so cute, Becky. Bummer about your tooth though! I know what you mean - going to the dentist has to be my least favorite thing on the planet! I just recently had root canals on two teeth at the same time - NO fun!!!