The Big Issue

GEORGE CLARKE

The year I turned 16 was an amazing year. I’ve never told anybody this in my life, but I remember standing in my mum’s bathroom when I was 16 thinking, “This year is amazing and it feels like it is lasting forever.” I left school, started work – it was a very special time for me.

I was This is not a sob story because it was bloody brilliant. We had the best time ever on my estate. We used to get into a bit of trouble but mainly all we did was ride our BMXs, chase girls and play football. And then, because I was a bit of a nerd, back in my little bedroom in my little council house, I was also reading books, watching documentaries, absorbing myself in the creative arts. Because that was my passion. I was a proper geek. But I didn’t really want anyone to see it so I used to hide that from them.

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