Michael Marks, a Russian born Polish refugee, set up a penny-stall selling nails and soap and spoons and such in Kirkgate market in Leeds in 1884. Not until 10 years later did he open his first shop, in Manchester in 1894. What did he think he was doing in those 10 years? Just trading on his stall from one day to the next? Or did he have any notion at all that one day there would be an international chain of shops bearing his name? In that year, in 1894, after he had been trading for 10 years, he was introduced to a partner who invested £300 in his business, Thomas Spencer. The ubiquitous British High Street firm of "Marks and Spencer" was founded.
In 1945, in Budapest, a doctor, "re-emerges into history" from the war years, to set up his stall, so to speak, "helping to look after the sick and the infirm. He was fifty-one years old and had not practiced medicine, publicly at least, for some six or seven years". At some point in the 1950s, his practice became a State Institution. What, in those 10-15 years after the war, did Andras Peto think he was doing? Did he, then, ever imagine his impact on children and families across the world, half a century and more later?
Today. After breakfast, I was reminded by my daughter, Sarah, how much I love her, as she struggled with the demands of the home care industry, her own fears about what they wanted from her, the heightened tension that came from her anxiety and the evident courage with which she faced all that, repeatedly trying to do her best to accommodate the insistence that she demonstrated her ability to move from her wheelchair to her stairlift. (Later, on the way to Paces, she confided in me "They get on my nerves, Dad". I smiled and told her I agreed.)
Today. I had a most interesting - not easy but nevertheless thought-provoking - conversation about the fundamental tension between, on the one hand, the vital question about 'where tomorrow's breakfast is coming from', in other words, the daily struggle simply for maintaining high standards amidst the toxic uncertainty of resources and, on the other hand, the necessity of keeping one's own and others' eyes firmly up towards the horizon, the bigger vision, the dream. Holding in mind the importance of both can be exhausting.
Would Michael Marks have recognised the "Marks and Spencer" of today? Would Andras Peto have recognised what, in 2008, is done in his name? Would either approve? But most of all, I wonder, as they managed the early struggles, what did they think they were doing?
Me? I remind myself, as often before, that when you are up to your neck in crocodiles, it's important not to forget that you came to clear the swamp.
This evening, I searched out Miriam Makeba on YouTube; listened to the wonderful live recording with Paul Simon of his "Under African Skies"; and what I'm ashamed to admit (with my English non-gift for languages) I can only call "'The Click Song". You'll get the point if you listen for yourself to her introduction to the song. I then left a comment for Susie Mallett. And decided not to watch "I'm A Celebrity".
Another day. Another step on the road. I sometimes try to explain to people that where we are now is not where we aim to be by saying, "On a journey from London to Edinburgh, we are still somewhere near Watford. Watford's Ok but we are not stopping". Or, pulling something from my younger days, "On the journey from Nairobi to Garba Tula, we are still somewhere near Karatina." The problem with this latter example is that it is the last section of the journey, between Isiolo and Garba Tula, 75 miles off-tarmac, dirt road driving, rather than the first section, that is the really hard driving.
What's all this got to do with the state of Conductive Education or trying to be a good parent or seeking out how to lead as a Chief Executive ... or whatever? You must feel that for yourself.
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The Marks and Spencer history is taken from the company website.
The note on Andras Peto is from 'Notes Towards a History of Conductive Education' by Andrew Sutton
