大象传媒

In 1942, a company of black soldiers, I think I should have said African American
soldiers, were quartered in the stables of Manchester Racecourse, which, for those of
you who don't know, was situated in a great meander of the river Irwell, in Salford.
The stables were opposite the cliff, or landslide, as we used to call it. Now if one
stood, in the half street that was left, at the top of the landslide. There opened out in
front of you a grand panoramic view, the cliff sweeping down before, at an angle of,
about, 50 degrees, then the river and stables and racecourse, an impressive sight.
I hope what follows does not offend. It is history and it happened in our town. You
should know that in times of war, sexual morality tends to go for a burton.
The soldiers were exotic, an unknown type, they were fit, young and healthy. Women
of all ages, would appear, and pair off with them. There did not seem to be any
conversation. they lay, on the slope of the cliff, and copulated. I can't remember my
classmates or self being sexually stimulated, as we stood with the small crowd of
spectators, a few elderly women, tut-tutting and frowning men.
In retrospect, in my minds eye, it was like a Mattise painting. Black and white figures,
undulating, within a few feet of each other, like flowers.

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