I suspect it’s an age thing; increasingly I find myself starting sentences with the words: "Whatever happened to…", writes Clinton Rogers.
And what’s more, the topics tend to get more random, often prompting my children to proclaim: "I think dad is losing it!"
They could be right.
The other day I found myself - completely out of the blue - asking: "Whatever happened to the school nit nurse?"
For many of us, it is a memory every bit as vivid and unpleasant as watery mashed potato, overcooked cabbage, and semolina pudding.
The thought of a random stranger prodding her fingers through our hair!
And it set me wondering how it all started – and how/why it came to an end (after all, nits haven’t gone away).
The history is actually rather interesting.
Apparently, it all dates back to the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act 1907, which ordered that every local authority should set up a school medical service.
In the years that followed, school clinics were introduced as well as regular medical examinations (including the nit nurse) and dental checks.
There’s another thing; whatever happened to school dental checks?
Answers on a postcard please (or probably best by email: clinton.rogers@countygazette.co.uk).
Moving on, whatever happened to fancy dress parties?
It was all the rage when I was a young adult.
I remember once dressing in a rather convincing gorilla outfit.
I thought it would be hilariously funny to walk into town before the evening party and "surprise" a few innocent bystanders.
The owner of the local chippy – and a few of his customers - were so startled they actually called the police, who had a quiet word with me.
No sense of humour!
And whatever happened to car treasure hunts?
Remember stopping your car in the middle of a village road (holding up everyone behind you) to read a clue in the hedge, or "collecting" a daffodil bulb from someone’s garden because it was one of the items you had to bring to the finish line?
Maybe road rage put a stop to car treasure hunts?
Who knows.
But I do know I’m not allowed to dress like a gorilla any more, or frighten people in the street.
Like I said, no sense of humour!
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