Open Writing

It is inevitable that as I sat down to recall and write about events that have shaped my life over more than seven decades there are going to be some which have had a maj or influence in determining the direction which I have travelled.

It is clear that neither of my parents had a 'normal' upbringing even by the standards of the early 20th Century. An orphan at seven years of age my mother had an unsettled early life. The circumstances surrounding my father's upbringing are still shrouded in mystery. Who were his parents? I intend to conduct some genealogical research for answers. It is possible that separation from my mother so soon after my birth has been a major factor in the development of my personality which led me, for many years, to live a life which saw me as a 'loner'.

Perhaps that is why I adopted the humble bike as my main means of social activity. How many 21st Century fourteen year old boys would undertake a holiday on their own cycling around Wales. Indeed, how many modern day parents have themselves had an independent childhood which is in turn, cultivated in their own children. Here perhaps my parents own early experiences had left them to fend for themselves. If this was the case then one can understand why neither of them blinked an eyelid when I told them of my intention to undertake such a trip financed largely by my newspaper delivery earnings.

Perhaps that strong streak of independence has been with me most of my life from that first solo two weeks tour in 1952 through to my tours of South America; the USA and Vietnam in later life. All of us are born into the world without any choice as to our parentage or nationality. At least fifty percent of the world's population is born into poor circumstances, mainly in poor countries. 'Poor' of course, is all relative. There is no doubt however, that more than half the people in the world today experience inadequate housing; poor health and inadequate nutrition. I am particularly aware of the problems facing the people of sub-Saharan Africa, especially Malawi. Educational opportunity is one of the most important areas of development which enables people to bring about change in their lives. The benefit may be as simple as enabling a literate mother to follow the instructions on a medicine bottle she has obtained from a pharmacy. It may be a young boy or girl being able to proceed from primary to secondary school and later perhaps to college or university. Even basic literacy will enable people to live a more complete life through the ability to read newspapers and books. Competence in numeracy will ensure they are not cheated in the markets. It will enable them to operate small businesses or secure employment.

Water is an equally important area of development. The provision of clean drinking water is a priority. Without it all are disadvantaged. The construction of the means of accessing clean drinking water through the pumping of groundwater or harvesting rainwater is essential. The building of well constructed latrines is also important if people are to enjoy better health. Unsound hygienic practices is the major cause of illness and sometimes death. One little known fact is that the school attendance of girls is influenced by the level of provision of latrines. As they generally require greater privacy than boys the absence of them will correlate with higher absenteeism. Support for improvements in respect of water and latrine provision through Water Aid and support for educational programmes are, without doubt in my experience, the most effective use of development funds.

I have always travelled independently. Whilst in Africa between 1970-73 this was by private car. The journey back from Malawi to the UK by way of East Africa, India and Central Asia was also by car. Subsequent trips have been made by bike and public transport, mainly buses. All had the characteristic of allowing me to determine my itinerary without many constraints.

Cycling as an activity has' come in from the cold' in recent years. During the pre-First World War years it was mainly an activity undertaken by fairly wealthy people. Between the two World Wars it attracted people who lived predominantly in the industrial regions of the country. It provided a means of escape into a quieter and cleaner environment. The presence of the wealthy began to decline. This pattern continued to be in evidence through the 1940s, 50s and early 60s. As increased prosperity enabled workers to acquire motorised means of transport cycling went into decline. Towards the end of the 20th Century pollution; traffic congestion; health concerns all contributed towards a reversal of this decline. In addition, more people began to appreciate the pleasure to be derived from cycling.

This has been aided by the increasing provision of purpose built cycling routes provided by many local authorities and Sustrans. People from across the social spectrum are now happily pedalling their bikes in one form or another. Car manufacturers now frequently make overtures towards the humble bike. The advertisement for the 2008 model of the Vauxhall Corsa shows a purpose-built carrier incorporated into the design. This surely encapsulates the change in perception that has occurred in respect of the humble bike.

Whilst living in Malawi my cycling companions came from European, Malawian and Asian families. Some were Christian; some Sikhs, Hindu or Muslim. It is unfortunate that cycling has not been very successful in recruiting more than a trickle of entrants to the pastime in the UK from ethnic minorities. In recent years I have come to reject religionist perspectives of the world. I do not dismiss out of hand the views of those who look to forces and influences which they believe are beyond the realms of human control. The impact of science on the human experience and the work of people like Charles Darwin does lead me to think however, that our continued wellbeing and existence on this planet lies more in our own hands rather than through the influence of some supernatural or divine power. I do not think human beings should lock themselves into an acceptance of beliefs that reject the real experiences encountered by them whether of a temporary or permanent nature. We are the custodians of decision making in such aspects of the human experience as racial equality; gender equality; homosexuality; abortion and even global warming. Humans can and do shape the world aided either by science, technology or changes in social perception. Global warming is perhaps the greatest threat facing us at the present time in our history. Will a religionist view of the world prevail? Is it totally beyond our control to address it because whatever we do will be of little consequence? I take the view that changing our behaviour and seeking the help of science and technology is the way forward.