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  1. J

    Hairdressing & barbering

    All this talk of experiences at the barbers reminds me of when I first started work at McKecnie Brothers. I was 15 and one day went to a nearby barbers, never been in before. While cutting away he asked if my Dad was bald and when I said yes he then pronounced that I would be before I was 30...
  2. J

    Gone out of fashion

    You folk are now digging deep and bringing back memories. Dinnefords, Beecham's pills, Gripe water. What about Fennings fever Cure, Yak!!! Being in the RAF I was a true Brylcreem boy, and still am. Though very little hair now, if I don't use it I look as though I'm taking off. Now in a red...
  3. J

    In the garden 2022

    I'm glad it's in your garden Izzy and not mine. I would be having nightmares!!!
  4. J

    Gone out of fashion

    Pete, that pic. of Zebrite brings back memories, my Saturday job, but didn't get paid for it !!! Also the Blackjack. I had an abscess on my right ear when I was about 9 and Dr. Butler, whose surgery was at Stockland Green, gave Mom some Blackjack which I had to put on for a week. When I went...
  5. J

    Old Pictures of Erdington (needing attention please)

    No idea when the photo in John Ls post was taken but long time after WW11 in view of flyover and indeed the lighting. We only had gas lighting in and after the war. I lived in Abbey Road, born there in 1931, and lived there until 1958. I can't remember ever having a flood on Slade road. Sadly...
  6. J

    Old Pictures of Erdington (needing attention please)

    Looks an interesting book Lady P. Does anyone know when the flood was on Slade Road, and whereabouts?
  7. J

    Spaghetti Junction

    Does anyone know how long it took from start to finish to build Spaghetti Junction. Often think of the times I walked down Slade Road, under the railway arch to get t Salford Park, to sail my yacht, or get the No 5 tram up to Lozells and Villa Road, to go to Handsworth Tech
  8. J

    Aston Villa history

    First time of reading this thread. I, nor my Dad or brothers were ever interested in football. We lived in Abbey Road Erdington near Brookvale Park so every Saturday Villa were playing at home we could always hear the roar of the crowd when they scored. There was one of the Villa players lived...
  9. J

    Gone out of fashion

    We had a smaller galvanised bath which was used regularly despite having a bathroom [with a bath]. Water heated from the old black fire grate so in summer Mom used to heat the water in the big gas boiler situated in the corner of the kitchen. I always had to go in the bath after my brother to...
  10. J

    Gone out of fashion

    As they say Pete "Here today, gone tomorrow" As far as ties are concerned, does anyone remember the ties on elastic. The tie was permanently tied on a short piece of wire with hooks bent at both ends. A piece of elastic with loops on the end was then attached. They were very neat in appearance...
  11. J

    Gone out of fashion

    Had my slide rule, used at Handsworth Tech. in 1944/45, until few weeks ago. Read of a nine year old lad in Torquay building his own Museum, so sent him that, with a number of other things, that were like me, old and ancient. Suggested he gets his friends and family to guess what they all were...
  12. J

    GEC WITTON WORKS

    Must be a bit slow on the uptake as only just come across this site about the GEC. I, [ Neville Johnson], worked there for about four years until the middle of 1958 in the test room of Small Motors. Due to age can't remember many names apart from Bob ? the foreman and Herman Herman a labourer...
  13. J

    Slade Road Junior and Infant School Erdington

    It was indeed Slade Road infants and Junior school, the Star Cinema next to it. I loved in Abbey Road and like Smudger spent many happy hours in Brookvale park and the Star Cinema
  14. J

    In the garden 2022

    Hi Vivienne. I was taken with your Corinilla, shown in #185. I ordered one and it came this morning. Whilst only a small plant it is lovely and in bloom. Love to see all the photos of various plants on here, thanks to all who put them on
  15. J

    Identity Bracelet

    Hi Janice, In the war it was advised that where possible identity bracelets were worn. I presume it was for the sake of identifying anyone who was killed away from home. Everyone was given an identity Number and this was engraved on the bracelet or whatever you had. We all had one and I still...
  16. J

    In the garden 2022

    A perfect picture too. I used to take close ups of flowers, but due to what they call an "essential Tremor" can no longer do so much to my disappointment.
  17. J

    In the garden 2022

    That is a beautiful Camellia Dave. What a pity the flowers don't last longer
  18. J

    Slade Primary School

    Just come across this thread. I also went to Slade Road school, starting in September 1936. In those days never had a nursery school or anywhere else for children to go before starting school. Even all these years later I still remember my first day. Never parted from Mom before that, so as I...
  19. J

    National Service

    As usual, knew someone would come up with the answer. What great folk we have on this site. Thanks for that
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