This is the second part of Harry Goulding's autobiography, following on from his account of his childhood years (1905 to 1927) growing up in working-class Grimsby ('Henry the Ninth') The details of his ordinary yet eccentric life were written down in longhand on sheets of paper rescued from a skip and lay dormant for many years after his death in 1985 until transcribed into two volumes. 'Man's Estate' deals with his volatile teaching career in Grimsby at both primary and secondary level; his lack of proficiency at school politics; his 'careers' as a local referee, pig-keeper and member of the Home Guard;his son's triumph over early adversity; his final, happy years teaching and the leaving of Grimsby to try out various new experiences in the Blackpool area. It deals honestly with his social failings, his relationship with his cantankerous father and his views on education and gives a valuable insight into the lot of the humble teacher from the 1920s to the 1960s.

A look at the season of Christmas and winter through the medium of light verse, 'The Arse End of the Year' chronicles the build up to the festive season, the solstice, the day itself and the post-Christmas slothfulness, together with aspects of the cold and dreary winter season so beloved by, well, not many people actually. From the reindeer shaped blips on the air traffic controllers' screen, to the disappearing cheese portions; from forgetting auld acquaintance to the difficulty of burying dead bodies in frosty weather, Peter Goulding gives us a uniquely personal insight into the season in his inimitable style, not that many people would want to imitate it.