Graham made this etching in celebration of his 2018 exhibition at Linden Hall studio and his family history in Deal.

My Dad’s Uncle Bill

by Graham Clarke, January 2018

My father had an uncle who made things out of wood

At making packing cases he was ‘specially good

Used for sending goods, in ships across the oceans

Protecting their fragilities from the ocean’s motions

Bill had ‘made a bob or two’ they say by all accounts

By making wooden boxes in astonishing amounts

Underneath the arches as in that famous song

He rented them and as for today to the Railway they belong

Smoke and sawdust from his works had got down on his chest

So a move from the metropolis was deemed for the best

The doctor said to Uncle Bill “They say you have some wealth,

buy a place down by the sea to take care of your health”

In those days the doctors thought you needed seaside breezes

And Bill selected Brighton to take care of his wheezes

“Thank you Doctor” said Uncle Bill “I must be in your debt”

“Think nothing of it” said the Doc “Another cigarette?”

The journey from new home to work Bill found rather far

So lit another cigarette and bought a motorcar

The Brighton house was very smart in fact the height of fashion

But it was the motorcar that really was his passion

Making boxes went so well Bill grew even wealthier

But Brighton life and cigarettes helped Bill get no healthier

So under Doc’s instructions Bill was duly sent

To somewhere much more bracing in the eastern part of Kent

“Yes I like this place called Deal, a fine expanse of sea

Just look at all those lovely boats I’d best get one for me”

He’d got his boat, his splendid car, for fun he bought a cinema

Made chums with all the boatmen along the strand

And in the Summer sunshine enjoyed the famous band

How he loved the healthy breeze and the smell of salty seas

Studying the passing ships and making frequent fishing trips

So father’s London Uncle, Mr William Steel

Was rather pleased that he’d become a citizen of Deal

“I must tell that Doctor how I feel

And let him know that for my health my new home is ideal”