Do the write thing

They actually trusted me to mix the stuff from the big tin of sticky powder and then go round all the desks with a small watering can full of ink and top up all the little china inkwells. Power! Life’s been an anti-climax ever since.

That was in the Olden Days when we learned joined-up writing with primitive pens – a nib on a wooden handle – especially designed to blot. And reduced all left-handers to despair. Those days are gone. Now even handwriting itself is on the way out.

American schools no longer teach cursive writing, nor do Finnish schools. British schools have not yet formally said they’ve given up, but I sometimes wonder. My nieces – brains the size of planets, both at Cambridge – have the handwriting of illiterate eight-year-olds. Bizarre.

Presumably their ridiculously expensive school concentrated on other things. Fair enough. The Americans and the Finns say children don’t do enough cursive handwriting to get up to speed, so they’re better concentrating on keyboard skills.

When love letters are a thing of history, selfies have replaced postcards and even birthday cards come direct from Moonpig, will we even recognise anyone’s handwriting any more?

If not, then we will have lost something valuable.

Because handwriting – stylish or illegible – reveals character. Even before you’ve read a word of what they have to say, you can tell so much about a person from their handwriting – age, gender, nationality, whether they’re neat and tidy or flamboyantly chaotic – which is why job seekers always had to “apply in own handwriting.”

Above all, handwriting is a real and instant connection to a person. Coming across an old letter is as good, if not better than a photograph. In the pages of books, pockets of old jackets and ancient handbags, I’ve found random notes from old friends, recognised the writing instantly and been transported to the past. The charm of old autograph books lies as much in the varied, faded handwriting as in the sentimental or comic verses. It brings the past alive in the way a text message or e mail never will.

So no, of course we don’t need handwriting anymore. But without it, the world will be just that little less interesting.

PRIME Minister David Cameron was spotted on an EasyJet flight stuffing his face with Pringles. Ah – and we all know how easy that is… No point wearing those fashionable fitness shoes if you spoil it in ten minutes solid munching on a plane. He was apparently nipping home alone from the family holiday in Portugal to attend the VJ celebrations. That explains it. He’d never have got away with it if Sam had been sitting next to him.

TO Marne Barracks at Catterick on Sunday – past armed guards, check ins and escorts, including a major on a bike – to see what’s been revealed in digs by members of Operation Nightingale. Fascinating – Bronze Age, Roman and Anglo Saxon finds that tell us so much about the area’s past. And a few puzzles as well – but that’s archaeology for you Operation Nightingale is a great scheme to rehabilitate injured soldiers by transferring their skills to archaeology. A group was working earlier this year up at the fort of Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall.

They’ve done a fantastic job and made some great finds. It seems particularly fitting that they’ve been investigating the lives of fellow soldiers. What’s 2,000 years between comrades?

ANN Robinson, whose earnings were once around £6m a year, says she has so little need to worry about money that she has – ha ha – no idea of the difference between a debit and credit card. Such smug ignorance is a slap in the face to the rest of us – especially those whose equal ignorance about money wasn’t a joke and has driven them to despair, or worse. Still, Ann Robinson didn’t get where she is today by thinking of other people’s feelings.

LAURA Wade-Gery has done middle-aged women workers no favours. The most senior female executive at M&S is about to go off on maternity leave – at the age of 50. There was a time when 50-year-old women were a safe bet to employ. Not only more sensible, more experienced, they were also pretty unlikely to nip off on maternity leave. Not any more. Still, at least the babywear section at M&S should get a bit of a makeover.

SPENDING on gym membership has increased by 44 per cent. Does that mean people are going 44 per cent more often? Does that mean the population is 44 per cent more fit? Of course not. Still they’ve got the membership and the shiny new trainers and a bag full of Lycra. If only that were enough…

BACKCHAT: An idea that's streets ahead

Hello Sharon,
RE your piece on the lack of children playing outside this summer, I thought you might be interested to hear this ...
Saltburn's Diamond Street will be a "play out" street for two Sunday afternoons August 23 and Sept 20 when cars are banned and children can play games like hop-scotch. The first was held in July when there was a good turnout. A Government scheme organised by Redcar and Cleveland Council.
Michael Morrisey, (by e mail)

* Play streets had a burst of popularity some years ago and then the fashion died. We think this is a brilliant initiative and hope more councils and neighbourhoods will follow suit.

Hello Sharon,
About ‘that’ ‘Hamlet!
I THOUGHT it was illegal to take photos or recordings of a stage production? Audiences are always told this at the beginning of a performance.
‘Hamlet’ can’t be staged without the prince but there are other supporting players and technical staff staff who must deserve a mention.
John C Foster, Langley Park, Durham

Dear Sharon,
I laughed when I read about people paying £500 for skin creams. Like my mother, I have always used Pond’s cold cream (£3 not £500!) and reckon my skin is pretty good even now I’m in my sixties. My mother’s sister was for many years a professional actress in “rep” and always said Pond’s cold cream was the best thing for removing heavy stage make up. As her face was her fortune, she should know.
Some years ago I remember Kylie Minogue said it was the only skin care she used, having been introduced to it by her mother. I’m not sure she was being completely honest but I like to think so.
Barbara Croft (by e mail)