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Birmingham in 1950s

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I used to do that Viv and called it 'corking' - boys did it as well as girls. The end result was wound in a spiral and sewn (got the girls to do that bit) then you had a nice table mat.
oldmohawk
 
I vaguely remember using a candle, a cotton reel and some string to make a device which slowly moved along like a tank, anyone know what I am talking about ? Eric
 
cookie273uk said:
I vaguely remember using a candle, a cotton reel and some string to make a device which slowly moved along like a tank, anyone know what I am talking about ? Eric
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I used to do that Eric, only with an elastic band, you wound it up and as it unwound it would move. Oh, and we used to cut notches in the reel so that it would climb over things, just like a tank. Happy days.

Terry
 
Hi Eric and Terry - I used to make a tank with a cotton reel, rubber band, slice of candle, and a stick - such simple things, but we had fun with them.
oldmohawk
 
terryb18 said:
I used to do that Eric, only with an elastic band, you wound it up and as it unwound it would move. Oh, and we used to cut notches in the reel so that it would climb over things, just like a tank. Happy days.

Terry
Click to expand...
Used to make those myself,cotton reel,slice of candle,a small lenght of cane,laggy band,and a small nail,with notch's cut around the cotton reel,good day's those,thank you for reminding me,i think i will make one up with my grandson tomorrow.
I have taught him how to make a skimmer with 5 flat lollipop sticks,anyone remember those?.
 
I wonder how anyone thought up the "Tank" ? Amazing !

We used to make a gun/catapult out of two blocks of wood and several pieces of inner tube.
The rubber bands held the wood together in a crude pistol shape then you knocked a nail in to make a trigger.
A further rubber band, attached to the pistol with string, was stretched over the front end and with a stone inside it, trapped in the gap between the blocks.
Pulling the trigger allowed the rubber band to shoot out and throw the stone.
 
Hi Baz - I made 'rubber band' guns just like you describe. I used to cut some really strong rubber bands from old car inner tubes. I suppose I had better not show my grandchildren how to make one !
oldmohawk
 
...... of course, eleastic band NOT string, also remember cutting notches in the reel now you remeinded me (it was a long time ago) Eric
 
"I have taught him how to make a skimmer with 5 flat lollipop sticks,anyone remember those?."

I used to make those as well, but I'm blowed if I can remember how.

Terry
 
Just thinking about the phrase,"old cronk",is something/someone(haha),that the wheels have fell off,with age,and wear and tear.
 
We had a "moke" which had old pushchair wheels and the seats too!! It came in handy for carrying the shopping home for Mum too.
She had some parachute silk which she dyed yellow to sew up, and old black-out curtains which we sat on in the garden. She made cushion covers from blue canvas sugar-bags. No wonder I can't throw things away!!!
rosie.
 
Hi Astonian sorry some how i missed this post, you are quite right it was 1962 when i holidayed in Margate and my first encounter with hippies. We used to go to the dreamland ballroom and there was a few who used it at the time.I remember the name beatnix but can't really say i can remember them.What i want to know is how a rocker can become a mod? they were two completely different animals Ha Ha.
Astonian said:
Hi podgery ;
mike is quite correct they was not hippies in the fifties they never appeared before the sixties
thats when the name came out hippies in the sixties because of there dress and bells and charms they wore
and spreading love around ; the teddy boys was on the scene in the fiftys along with the rockers ;
the ones you are on about was called beatnix they was universaty students with the long hair and and beareds and the long
sweaters and jeans and sandalls and drinking cider some was univ; drop outs
the hippies came out in the early sixties along with the rockers and the mods ;
i was a rocker with the tony curtis hair style and the da at the back ; then i became a mod ;
i had a motor bike ; but never got to buy a scooter ; i bought my fashion clothes from a carnaby fashion shop
along the aston rd north whilst it was there it was a very small out let that brought carnaby to brum first
before the city centre got hold of the idea bring carnaby fashion to brum ;
those where the days my friend we thought they would never end as the song went best wishes astonian ;;
Click to expand...
 
Hi podgery
nice to hear from you again the word beatnix was around afew years before the 62 period it was an expression for the drop out students whom lost the pathe ans lounge around and they was like ship wrecked stuck on an island
with a pint of cider and a spliff always stoned if you get my drift ;
on the subject of me ; being a rocker ; turning mod ; ;well ;
as i took up the singing career around the sceneces of brum and mixing with certain celebs and by then i did have abit of a following ans i did go and live in london for a period and lived and mix with afew bands and i did write a little at the time
and got into carnaby street fashion with some well known personalitys and came back to brum afew years later
where i remained a mod but i did have afew scitts from people wearing such out fits ;but brum kids soon started to latch on ;
to the fashion ;as i said i was involved with the music scenes very much ;that,s how and when i changed my choice of becoming a mod a good clean appeareance ;
have a nice podgery ; astonian ;;
 
Astonian said:
Hi podgery
nice to hear from you again the word beatnix was around afew years before the 62 period it was an expression for the drop out students whom lost the pathe ans lounge around and they was like ship wrecked stuck on an island
with a pint of cider and a spliff always stoned if you get my drift ;
on the subject of me ; being a rocker ; turning mod ; ;well ;
as i took up the singing career around the sceneces of brum and mixing with certain celebs and by then i did have abit of a following ans i did go and live in london for a period and lived and mix with afew bands and i did write a little at the time
and got into carnaby street fashion with some well known personalitys and came back to brum afew years later
where i remained a mod but i did have afew scitts from people wearing such out fits ;but brum kids soon started to latch on ;
to the fashion ;as i said i was involved with the music scenes very much ;that,s how and when i changed my choice of becoming a mod a good clean appeareance ;
have a nice podgery ; astonian ;;
Click to expand...
I have Those Were The Days sheet music with Mary Hopkin in a floppy hippy hat.We used to tell hippy jokes at school such as What do you call a big african animal with a flower in its ear? A Hippy potamus! And what are hippies? They are what you hang your leggies on! So you can still do the March Of The Mods then? Right foot, right foot ,left foot, left foot, jump, back one two three.The Hippy hippy shake was much earlier I think.
 
Hi my memories of music in the 50s was the juke'box in the local cafe. I love music but can't play it but we would congregate in the cafe and listen to the likes of Billy Fury, Elvis, Tommy Steel, ect, with our milk shakes. Great memories.
 
hi

Yes thats more like it Bill Haley Little Richard and the great Buddy Holly.Dominated by
the US stars. People like Neil Sedaka and Roy Orbison began their careears in the late 50's
Pat Boone Andy Williams Perry Como Fats Domino Bobby Darin Connie Francis.
On the other hand many of UK hits still came from fairly traditional band/Orchestral backiing.
Winfred Atwell Eddie Calvert David Whitfield and who can forget the Stargazers are on the Air.
Dickie Valentine Ruby Murray Jimmy Young Alma Cogan, who can forget Ronnie Hilton.
Even Anne Shelton boomed out Lay down your Arms. Frankie Vaughn and Lonnie Donnegan on a Cumberland Gap.
Shirley Bassey began her career with As I love you. Russ Conway
Cliff Richard hits began
Many of these artists entered the 60's and bt the late 60's much of their music was taken out with
sounds likev the Mersey Sound etc.
The 50's Music was Iconic it shared the sounds of the Wartime 40's Bands Frank Sinatra to the sound
of the mighty Rock and Roll pouring out. Even today the huge Sounds dominate most of the popular
versions. One can catch bits of Elvis here and there the Mighty Little Richard and Fats Domino.
it was a pleasure to live through the 50's music.

Mike Jenks
 
I grew up with Joe Brown and the Bruvvers, and his duet with Sophia Loren and hers with Peter Sellers. Rolf Harris, Frank Ifield, Vince Hill, Grandad liked Yana, David Whitfield, Lena Horne Donald Peers & Mario Lanza. Dad was in to Doris Day and Michael Holiday. My parents loved Glen Miller, Joe Loss Danny Kay, Peggy Lee and Guy Mitchell, they bought Feet Up pat him on the Po Po when they had me. Val Doonigan, Susan Maughan, mum loved Shirley Bassey, Anita Harris, Gracie Fields, Andy Williams, Billy Fury. Englebert Humpadink, Peter Paul and Mary, The Spinners. Nana Mouskkouri, Jimmy Young, Rosemary Clooney,.Kathleen Ferrier. I am trying to recall what is on my 78's have nothing to play them on though and the old sheet music. Jane Morgan. Billie Anthony, The Everley Bros.Helen Shapiro. Frankie Lane and Jim Reeves.The Beverley Sister, The Lady Birds etc etc. The Seekers
 
Frankie Lymon jerry lee lewis we may be getting on but we still remember the good things. I love the 60s music but you are right the 50s was the start of rock ect.
 
I remember the music of the late 50's early 60's as the hay day for british rock stars, marty wild long john bawtry, billy fury, tommy steel, joe brown, cliff richards, and more I cannot remember I just loved them all, together with the american stars.
paul
 
The first time I heard Elvis one of our gang had brought "Heartbreak Hotel" into the club we all frequented near Highters Heath school.
The poor bloke was quite disappointed when we all laughed at it.
Some of Elvis's early stuff was OK but once he started the movies that was the end for me.
Gene Vincent and Jerry Lee were great but I was mad on the Everlys
Even so, the sound of my youth has to be the Shadows. I was courting my (late) first wife at the time and every time we went in to a popular pub in Denbigh they were allways on the juke box, usually playing "Apache" or "Man of Mystery".
Ah well !
 
hi

I was more for Duane Eddy and Eddy Cochran seems to have more punch it always
seemed odd Cliff and Hank Marvin together were a much more powerful sound.
Being an Elvis fan i didnt get on with Cliff.
All great though up the 50's

mike jenks
 
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