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30th March 2020
Posted by Johnny Jenkins
In his letter, Lachlan wrote:
Dear Marjorie,
My name is Lachlan, I am 17 years old and I live in Rayleigh. I am writing to you today to introduce myself, as I would like to support you and talk to you via letter during this difficult time. I understand it must be very hard for you at the moment without face to face contact from visitors and loved ones, so I think It would be nice to get to know you and forget about what is happening in the world right now so we can help one another feel less anxious and isolated.
At the moment I am studying at home, as my sixth form along with every other means of education is closed however, I am in the process of moving sixth form anyway hopefully by September if all colleges re-open. I have a condition called autism and I am currently at the St Christopher Annex learning life skills as I chose not to do GCSE’s at my last school thinking this option would be better. I somewhat regret this decision and have realised that this course is not for me but the new pathway course that I am joining in September will give me the opportunity to re-sit my exams and explore different types of typical college courses in a taster session style which I am quite excited about.
Other than my education, I have a few hobbies that I love to express. Particularly music, especially the Hard rock and heavy metal genres. But there are so many other styles associated with these two genres that have helped build up my eclectic taste over the years such as blues rock, southern rock, thrash metal etcetera.
Some artists that I love to listen to include icons such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton/Cream. Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, AC/DC and Rush are also other heavier bands I like to listen to. And then you have bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest to bands like Slayer, Overkill and System Of A Down at the opposite end of the spectrum that are also very good in my opinion.
Although this has now been my passion for a few years now, it was the Classical, Baroque and romantic genres that started my passion for music altogether. I loved composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and the Four Seasons to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music) and Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2. I still love these genres to date as I believe that rock and metal shares similarities with each other and was a descendent from classical music. Even in metal there is a neoclassical guitar style.
Some other hobbies of mine include watching The Star Wars movies, Collecting Original Vinyl and learning to play guitar.
On a Saturday I am also Part of a radio club at Gateway 97.8 in Basildon which I am very honoured to be part of as it is a fantastic opportunity for people my age. It teaches me a lot. And helps boost my confidence. Which I will tell more about in my next letter.
Thank you for reading my letter,
I hope to be in touch very soon and to get to know you better,
I will always be here for you to write to and for me to write to you,
Stay positive and safe,
Yours faithfully,
Lachlan
In her reply, Marjorie wrote:
Dear Lachlan.
Thank you for your card my name is Marjorie and I am 91. I’m out of your league as far as your music is concerned but I have heard of some of your heavy metal bands! I like the Russian composers and ballet and some opera. As you see our taste vary but like you I like Mozart! I like classical guitar pieces. At the moment I am not coming out of my room so life is a little strange. Feel free to send me another correspondence.
Best Wishes
Marjorie