It must have been around 1992, I was still at junior school and would have been about 10 or 11. It was christmas time, and like many christmas’ before that, we, as usual would spend it at my nan and grandads- Maureen and Taff’s at 32 Hillson Drive, Fareham. When i say ‘we’, I mean the immediate family of 11, who consisted of: Maureen, Taff, Sue, Gordon, Kim, Shaun, Paul, Sadie, Stacey, Jamie and myself. 

Now this particular year we were blessed with the presence of Lynne, Big Ian and Tim. I don’t remember little Ian being there, as i think he was old enough to be doing his own thing.

One of the family games we all enjoyed was a game of darts - which we played on the dart board, mounted in the dining room. The adults plus Tim and I played in like a knock out competition, it was agreed in the first round i’d play Tim as we were the two minors.

The room was lit by wall lights rather than a ceiling light. I think this was a problem for uncle Ian, because he was left handed and the wall and the light was on his left side. So Taff took the bulb and light shade off as not to impede his throw of the dart. 

Once the first couple of games had been played a fag break was called, as all my side of the family, smoked. Tim and I were left in the dining room practicing our darts, when Tim thought it would be a good idea to stick his dart in the light fitting. The end of the dart made contact with the live and neutral, made a massive spark and bang, all Elwyns electrics tripped, and we were plunged into darkness. 

After that I remember uncle Ian going nuts at Tim, telling him he could have blown himself up, and the end of the dart had disintegrated into a little stump. I was really quite shocked and Tim still laughed even after he’d got really told off by his dad!

(Dont ask me who won the darts!)

Love you Tim x