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THE DINNER DANCE. The Post-war period seemed to gradually provide for more entertainments for the working class folks. Amongst them came the offer of the " DINNER DANCE " Here was the opportunity to enjoy an experience previously available only to the upper classes during formal occassions held...

I wonder if these ' steam ' tram pullers had the same good old smells and sounds as that of the steam Railway engines. Photo: Could that be a hanging bell in front of the driver. " Ding a Ling " and off he goes ?

TOFFEE-NOSED. I mind a few times that our group of kids would ' label ' someone that we came into contact with as " Toffee-nosed'. Later we would learn that this mistakingly came about by ' judging ' much too quickly. Toffee-nosed, as we perceived it, would be a person ( Grown up or fellow kid )...

UNTIL TOMORROW THEN ! ( the parting shot ). I recall, as kids, we would use variations of sayings as we parted company for the day. There was one that was in popular use ( 1940 ish ) which came from the weekly radio show " ITMA ". This one would be expressed as " TTFN ", which was supposed to...

STREAMLINING. I have tried, here and there, to figure this episode out. Looking at the best I can find on the ' internet ' regarding the introduction of the 11+ school examination all I can find is that this was officially brought into operation in 1944. Yet I recall attending an examination at...

TAUGHT US A LESSON. ( 1940's ) Our group of kids were not particularly avid ' Scrumpers ' but I guess at the same time we didn't let the odd opportunity slip by. On this particular day we had set off on another one of our adventures into and through Sutton Park. After our usual explorations we...

The " FREE KITCHEN ". I recall one of the older Men, at the factory we worked in at the time, telling the story of how when he was a young boy his Mom used to send him and his sisters out on Saturday mornings to a nearby Church Mission Hall which held a " Free Kitchen " and there they were able...

NOT A TIME FOR WASTE. Had a few bits of left overs from last Sunday's lunch so did an old fashioned " Bubble and Squeak " on Monday. Done this a few times over the years and it never fails to remind me of the meals that the Moms used to put to-gether when we were kids. Fantastic what they could...

TALENTED LADIES. Harking back, those ladies ( Our Moms, Grannies and Aunties ) who sat there hand knitting away, creating all sorts of useful articles of clothing, I wonder if they realised just how skilifull they really were. Hand knitting was mainly a necessary accomplishment being passed on...

That " Boys with the knitting " thing. Sketch :

OUR NEW LOOK STREET. The time for our street ' Tarmac surface renewal ' had arrived in our area. We kids new that we were going to lose our ' Street Playground ' for a few days but what a spectacle it turned out to be. As work began there was that lovely smell of the fresh Tarmac and the smell...

THOSE NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS.Period : Around the War and Post War years.Here was a little welcome light distraction for both the Grown- ups and kids alike. The Comic Strip section of the daily newspapers became an attraction just simply because it tended to put a little smile on most folks...

Astonian. I get the picture that Peel Street and that general area brings back some interesting memories for you. Iv'e just spotted a ' Post ' that you put on the BHF back in 2007 referring to Peel Street. Interesting Post. Note : No sorry Astonian, I never came into contact at any time with...

Reply to Astoness. Hello Lyn. Reference ' Boys Brigade Photo '. My information ( obtained via " Birmingham Boys brigade, images" ) informs that the photo was taken in Peel Street, Winson Green.

Having a bit of trouble posting photo appertaining to the last post, having a go at putting it on this post Photo : The Boys Brigade.

THE BOYS BRIGADE. I recall how on Sunday mornings our bunch of young people would occassionally see these Boys Brigade lads going to or coming from their meetings. We would see them dressed up with their White Shoulder sashes, their shiny black belts and wearing their Forage caps. Some would be...

" IRRESISTABLE ". Compelling enticements that the kids found hard to resist. THE SELF MADE " RAFT ". For some young people that were fortunate to live close to accessible pools and lakes this little project was surely to become a must. Not many more intriguing things than having a go at...

A steam tram passing the old clock at Aston Cross. ( Around Cica 1900 ). Painting. Photo :

Have removed this repeat post. Roy Blakey.

THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. A few days whereby the wind would come up would get us kids having a go at constructing our ' kites '. Bits of paper, narrow strips of wood, string, cotton thread and the little blown up paper bag for the kite tail would all go into our kite build. Down to the Park or on a...