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I’ve recently watched several ‘youtube’ videos of Brummie’s ‘treasure hunting’ with a magnet and line, in the canals and waterways in and around Birmingham. I’ve been inspired to give this relatively new craze a go. I’ve just bought a powerful magnet from Amazon (they have a wide selection)...

Thanks Mike. I’ve read a couple of pre-World War 1 books supposing a German attack upon Britain, written during the last decade of the 19thC and the early part of 20thC. This, however, is the first I’ve heard of this work - well done you, Mike! Who is the author? I wonder if this...

I remember the Arrow bars - loved the spearmint one; but I don’t think they did a banana & toffee version.

Lyn, am I wrong in thinking that the banana streaked toffee was also available in relatively narrow, wrapped bars? I vaguely recall stretching out a softened bar, to twice its length, before scoffing it.

Just off to order two boxes! Thanks all!

In my mind’s eye (mind’s mouth?) I can taste it even now! I must have some - please, if anyone knows where it can be found, do let me know - and soon!

Ooooh yes, I’d forgotten all about banana toffee. Is it still made???

Liquorice root is the woody, dried root of the liquorice plant. I bought a few sticks a year or two back. However, my tastes appear to have changed somewhat, since being a child! Seemingly, the sticks are good for your teeth, as a cleaning aid, just like a dog’s dental chew. They are also...

During the late 60’s, until 1973, my particular group of mates included a lovely lad who worked for Mr. Fewtrell (no names!) - he was actually a sandwich-course student, studying for a BSc in glass manufacture; so a bright lad. He was a big, handsome fella, and quite a good boxer, and was also...

Heartbreakingly so, in that great catalogue of ‘things that ought not to be, but sadly are’ - “horns and tails” fall into the relatively minor league of possible misfortunes. I have been told stories by a previous generation of mental health staff that I cannot bring myself to think of, let...

Thanks Mike. Being a bit of a hoarder (massive understatement!) I couldn’t guarantee finding the photo’, even supposing I began a concerted search tomorrow. It may reveal itself one day, or ten years hence - I wouldn’t know where to start; things have got a tad out of hand! Made worse...

A few further remarks: the garden and surrounds are now much improved to what they once were. I recall only a shabby old knot-garden, and few trees. It was quite a bleak setting. As a child, I had seen Victorian/Edwardian-era postcard/photographs of the place, that showed a far more...

Hi Mike - great pics, ta! I used occasionally to do my homework on the big table * (front room on right hand side) - not much is changed, apart from some recently made ‘rustic-type’ furniture. The last owner, Elizabeth Turton, was a cousin of sorts, to my great grandfather. She was a great...

During the early 70’s, I’d heard about the tap on the wall, but never knew if it was true, or just a myth. Ta Edifi!

According to my ex, Mandy Rice Davies (Marilyn Rhys Davies) lived in Solihull, and attended the old Harrison Barrow, County Grammar School for Girls, in Acocks Green. Mikejee’s ‘Birmingham Mail’ attachment, seems to paint a rather different picture of Miss Davies. However, I rather fancy...

My father’s great aunt (she was quite young for a great aunt) married in 1919, aged thirty two, to a gentleman fourteen years older than herself. The day they returned from their honeymoon, he felt a little low and, thinking that he’d caught a bit of a chill during the journey home, he went...

I recall the term used, when I was a child, as ‘tartan’ legs. I well remember those days, huddled close to the fire, being scorched on one side, and absolutely freezing on t’other.

Yes, having since done a bit of research, it seems the American usuage leans more towards nefarious intent, rather than us Brits simply having a ‘nose about’.

Re’ mooch/mooching : when I was a child my Tipton relatives pronounced it mowch/mowchin. Wasn’t there a song called ‘Minnie the Moocher’?

I always thought a ‘snicket ’ was a blind alleyway, leading to either a doorway, or a just a blank wall.