Just heard a BBC radio programme about the story behind this. It originally said “Clare Middleton I love you will u marry me”, but the Clare Middleton bit is fading now and hasn’t been highlighted in neon. Her boyfriend wrote it in 2002. They split up because of “problems with the social services” (he said) and she died a few years ago – all very sad.
Yes, it was the programme that made me want to find the picture; very sad but the guy who wrote it (the graffiti ‘artist’ who I would normally have lambasted with my very middle-class tutting and wagging finger) came across very well indeed, especially when you take his circumstances of being brought up in care into account. A fascinating listen… Radio 4 at its best.
Since 2009, CyclingEurope.org has established itself as a valued, FREE cycle touring resource. There's now even a podcast, The Cycling Europe Podcast. If you enjoy the website and the podcast, please consider supporting the work of CyclingEurope.org with a donation via Ko-Fi. Thanks if you do!
Cycling
Reblogged this on CyclingEurope.org and commented:
For some reason (I know not why), this post has received considerable attention today. Was the original Radio 4 documentary repeated?
Yes. It was repeated yesterday (23rd March).
Thanks for pointing to this, a really interesting listen.
I agree wholeheartedly!
Just heard a BBC radio programme about the story behind this. It originally said “Clare Middleton I love you will u marry me”, but the Clare Middleton bit is fading now and hasn’t been highlighted in neon. Her boyfriend wrote it in 2002. They split up because of “problems with the social services” (he said) and she died a few years ago – all very sad.
Yes, it was the programme that made me want to find the picture; very sad but the guy who wrote it (the graffiti ‘artist’ who I would normally have lambasted with my very middle-class tutting and wagging finger) came across very well indeed, especially when you take his circumstances of being brought up in care into account. A fascinating listen… Radio 4 at its best.