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So long ago now. The only name that rings a bell there is Mr Timmins.

So sad. Saltley shed was the Mecca for train spotters of the area back in the 50s-early 60s.

Heh, heh, I always toted my spud gun. I'd never dream of going out unarmed.

Wishing you a very happy birthday, Lyn.

I recall a model shop on the Stratford Road in the late 50s/early 60s. It was near the Main Street/Long Street junctions on the opposite side to the Farm Road one. I used to stare longingly at the Hornby locos in the window, which were to expensive for my pocket money. There were Meccano kits...

Yes, I well remember the boys brigade Sunday marches. I always felt compelled to follow alongside for some distance, enjoying the bugles and drums, like something from the Pied Piper!

Yes, thinking on it, I seem to remember getting my submarines as free gifts with cereals and not from Woollies. That probably explains why they never worked!

Seeing the working diver toys on this thread reminded me of the little plastic submarines that I used to get from Woolworths in the 50s. The packaging blurb insisted that if I put some baking soda in a hole underneath the thing, it would sink in a bath of water and then resurface after a bit. I...

Hi, Tony. As a boy trainspotter I was one afternoon shocked to see Evening Star pass slowly over my regular spotting place of the Montpellier St bridge by Camp Hill Station. Unfortunately, like you I can only date the event to 1961 or 62. The engine was without coaches and was heading in the...

Along with the usual Beano, Dandy, Topper, et al, I used to enjoy the Hotspur. This had more printed stories but I liked it for the steam engine adventures. Every week there was a train robbery, brake failure, a bridge down -- or perhaps all three. I never grew tired of reading them because...

We used to quote what I believe is a line from the movie: "You're a better man than I am, Gungadin!"

70 now, so was waiting for a letter from my doctor giving me an appointment date for the Covid jab. I did receive a letter yesterday, but it was from the NHS telling me I was eligible for the jab and should log onto a website whose URL was given. I did that and after lots of clicking was given...

Yes, a good memory. In our Birmingham back-to-back in the 50s we had a meter-operated TV, which I think took shillings. It was a high point when the man came round to empty the meter and dole out a pile of bob pieces that were surplus to the rental.

New keyboard purchased today. The other three were indeed defunct. Suspected fault: mother board problem. Solution: Windows reinstall then a new computer, cost £600.00. Actual fault: three broken keyboards. Solution: new keyboard, cost £7.00. Hey ho! (It's a great machine, though)

I've tried everything, even re-installing Windows. I'm now thinking all three keyboards must have failed. I'll check if there's an Asda near me. If not, PC World in the morning.

Same faults on two computers, so unlikely duff sockets. I suppose it really is that all three keyboards are worn out. I'll pick up a new one tomorrow.

Thanks, but with three keyboards all suddenly refusing to work on my old computer and today's brand new one, it can't be hardware problems. I tried re-installing Windows first and that was no use.

As with my previous computer running Windows 10. the keyboard on the replacement eventually started playing up and then went dead. I had a wireless one handy so plugged that in (it did the trick last time). But this time that too started repeating letters non-stop, though it didn't go dead. I...

In the 50s as a boy I lived in Long St, down an "entry" called Winterdyne Place. At the mouth of it, old Mrs Spencer kept her little shop. My mother used to send me in to buy Woodbine cigarettes in twos or threes. When we wanted salt, Mrs Spencer would break chunks from a large block and weigh...

Sending all good wishes for your quick recovery, Alan.