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Birmingham Post & Mail

In 1953, when I was at my first job with the Post Office factory at Fordrough Lane, I used to go in my lunch hour to a newsagent nearby and buy a newspaper, it was not the mail but a national newspaper the purpose of which was to enter a "spot the ball" competition. The prize was a Hillman Minx car. Being under 16 at the time if I had won I guess I would have to wait for two years to be legally able to drive it.
However I left Fordrough Lane, in six months, as factory work was not for me.
 
Radiorails said:
In 1953, when I was at my first job with the Post Office factory at Fordrough Lane, I used to go in my lunch hour to a newsagent nearby and buy a newspaper, it was not the mail but a national newspaper the purpose of which was to enter a "spot the ball" competition. The prize was a Hillman Minx car. Being under 16 at the time if I had won I guess I would have to wait for two years to be legally able to drive it.
However I left Fordrough Lane, in six months, as factory work was not for me.
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If I remember correctly the Mail did also have a Spot the Ball competition, which my Nan used to do. I joined the Chipper Club in the Mail, and I was very proud of my membership card. Wish I had kept it now - was anyone else a member?
 
mw0njm. said:
and me i was a memberView attachment 206543
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As a kid I too joined the Chipper Club, run by Uncle Len. It seemed good idea on the surface; all my school pals were members. Then when I got the conformation through the post and read the Chipper Club rules about doing homework, being good at school, obeying parents and teachers, going to church and all that I neatly fell thought the floor, thinking what I have I signed up for here….
 
Radiorails said:
In 1953, when I was at my first job with the Post Office factory at Fordrough Lane, I used to go in my lunch hour to a newsagent nearby and buy a newspaper, it was not the mail but a national newspaper the purpose of which was to enter a "spot the ball" competition. The prize was a Hillman Minx car. Being under 16 at the time if I had won I guess I would have to wait for two years to be legally able to drive it.
However I left Fordrough Lane, in six months, as factory work was not for me.
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I never did the Mail place the ball but dad did every time, he could put lots of crosses on it, never won a thing.
I did one in Readers Digest, you could only put one cross, it was a rugby match throw in. I tossed a cushion across the room to judge where it should be and hit the spot dead on.
The prize was a VW Golf or the cash alternative, I took the cash £16,000. :grinning:
 
Vivienne14 said:
Remember 'Place the Ball'. Nice prize. Thought prizes were always cash.

View attachment 206541
Soirce: British Newspaper Archive
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That's just reminded me that my Mom worked in that department for a while!
They were given a template of where the ball should be to place over each entry and I think they then put those very close to one side so someone else would then do a finer check to decide the winners!
 
Eric Gibson said:
I never did the Mail place the ball but dad did every time, he could put lots of crosses on it, never won a thing.
I did one in Readers Digest, you could only put one cross, it was a rugby match throw in. I tossed a cushion across the room to judge where it should be and hit the spot dead on.
The prize was a VW Golf or the cash alternative, I took the cash £16,000. :grinning:
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How lovely for you, that was a stroke of luck. When did you win?
 
Morturn said:
As a kid I too joined the Chipper Club, run by Uncle Len. It seemed good idea on the surface; all my school pals were members. Then when I got the conformation through the post and read the Chipper Club rules about doing homework, being good at school, obeying parents and teachers, going to church and all that I neatly fell thought the floor, thinking what I have I signed up for here….
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I had the badge too. Bit of a history of the Chipper Club here. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/wh.../remember-chipper-club-were-bringing-17991317
 
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