Kmflett's Blog

On reaching 68. Thanks to the NHS

Indeed I am 68 today, being born on 31st October 1956 as the Russian tanks swept into Budapest & just as Britain, France and Israel were starting the debacle that was Suez.

Clearly I learnt my politics at birth.

I’m not a great fan of birthdays, although they are statistically significant but as an historian one does note the passage of time.

Reaching 68 is something of a landmark since there were at least three occasions in 2022 when it was more likely than not that I would not. Thanks to all at the University Hospital Cardiff and perhaps in particular to a nurse called Cerys for bringing me back to the land of the living on the second occasion. As the consultant noted when I was discharged, if I was a cat I would have used up one of my nine lives then.

My partner Megan has helped a lot to restore me to something like working order since those times

I remain working as an elected union officer because even at 68 there is no home but the struggle and of course chairing the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research as well as organising the Beard Liberation Front.

Anyway on my birthday I’m in Cardiff,(but I still live of course in Tottenham)

In addition the beard is still flourishing

I may have a beer….