Roy Blakey
master brummie
Eddie. Just had a look on the internet. Apparently the gadget was called a ' Soap Saver ', but probably like you the call round our house was for the 'Swisher '.
Photo : Happy Bubbles.
Photo : Happy Bubbles.
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Growing Up In Brum - Roy Blakey Inspired.
- Thread starter Roy Blakey
- Start date
"During the same period I recall that some people used to try and freshen up a piece of early stage stale bread by lightly spraying the bread with water and then placing it in the oven on a low heat."
Still do Roy, only last night, stale loaf, a few drops of water under the cold tap, and in the oven for 5/10 minutes, fresh as the day it was baked (nearly lol)
Still do Roy, only last night, stale loaf, a few drops of water under the cold tap, and in the oven for 5/10 minutes, fresh as the day it was baked (nearly lol)
brenda barr
master brummie
We had a soap saver.....we used it to make suds for washing dishes..l think we put small left over pieces of Fairey soap in it and swish away with it...l hated washing dishes being the only girl in the house it was my job...i have had a dishwasher for over 40 years and would'nt be without it..if any appliances stops working my dishwasher would be the one l would miss the most....Brenda
Roy Blakey
master brummie
READING THE TEA LEAVES.
I recall one time when my brother and I were playing games, with our mates, out on the street, a sudden change in the weather persuaded us all to return to our homes. Arriving back in our house we found Mom and some of her friends had been having a little get together break and a cup of tea. Not only that but they were trying to indulge in a bit of amateur
' tea leaf reading '. It was comical to listen in to their attempted ' readings '. As I remember it, the sort of perceptions involved included : (1) Going on a journey. (2) Happiness and Contentment. (3) Good news arriving soon. (4) There was going to be an interesting invitation arriving soon (5) Good health was assured.
There wasn't a bit of bad news came out of the bottom of those tea cups.
Was there any after events that matched the tea leaf predictions. Well one of Moms friends went on a day trip to Blackpool
about six months later. Mom had an invitation to join the Womens Circle about four months later. These ladies were all generally happy and healthy anyway. So you could say that the score for the tea leaves was vaguely in the order of five out of five.
They all appeared to have had a bit of harmless fun from it though. How I wonder did they get on when the ' Tea Bag ' eventually came into fashion.
I recall one time when my brother and I were playing games, with our mates, out on the street, a sudden change in the weather persuaded us all to return to our homes. Arriving back in our house we found Mom and some of her friends had been having a little get together break and a cup of tea. Not only that but they were trying to indulge in a bit of amateur
' tea leaf reading '. It was comical to listen in to their attempted ' readings '. As I remember it, the sort of perceptions involved included : (1) Going on a journey. (2) Happiness and Contentment. (3) Good news arriving soon. (4) There was going to be an interesting invitation arriving soon (5) Good health was assured.
There wasn't a bit of bad news came out of the bottom of those tea cups.
Was there any after events that matched the tea leaf predictions. Well one of Moms friends went on a day trip to Blackpool
about six months later. Mom had an invitation to join the Womens Circle about four months later. These ladies were all generally happy and healthy anyway. So you could say that the score for the tea leaves was vaguely in the order of five out of five.
They all appeared to have had a bit of harmless fun from it though. How I wonder did they get on when the ' Tea Bag ' eventually came into fashion.
Roy Blakey
master brummie
THE EARLY MORNING MAD DASH.
Period : around the early 1950's.
On working days young single men, in the main, would push the limits on the time that they went to bed and the time that they needed to ' get up ' and go to work.
That mad straight out of bed early morning dash to have a splash wash, get dressed, have a slice of toast and get out of the front door was always pretty hectic. They daresn't miss that last available bus that was going to get them to work on time. When every second counted on this front I remember some clever individual brought a commodity onto the market that saved some precious seconds during the dressing stage.
If you needed to wear a tie for work, this was for you.
It was simply an " elastic band, pre knotted plastic kneck tie ". Slip over the head, slide under the shirt collar, straighten the position, job done. Didn't need ironing, didn't need washing ( a wet cloth wipe would do the trick ).
Doesn't sound much but when seconds counted this was you friend.
Photo : Fast and easy.
Period : around the early 1950's.
On working days young single men, in the main, would push the limits on the time that they went to bed and the time that they needed to ' get up ' and go to work.
That mad straight out of bed early morning dash to have a splash wash, get dressed, have a slice of toast and get out of the front door was always pretty hectic. They daresn't miss that last available bus that was going to get them to work on time. When every second counted on this front I remember some clever individual brought a commodity onto the market that saved some precious seconds during the dressing stage.
If you needed to wear a tie for work, this was for you.
It was simply an " elastic band, pre knotted plastic kneck tie ". Slip over the head, slide under the shirt collar, straighten the position, job done. Didn't need ironing, didn't need washing ( a wet cloth wipe would do the trick ).
Doesn't sound much but when seconds counted this was you friend.
Photo : Fast and easy.
Roy Blakey
master brummie
WHEN ' AUNTIE ' MET UP WITH THE ' MODS '.
I bumped into an old School mate sometime ago and amongst the general catch up conversation he told me an amusing story ( Referring back a while ).
Aparently his family had decided to take one of his ' Aunties ' out for a lunch time drink to celebrate her birthday ( I think he said it was her 85th ). They chose the public bar at the King Charles pub , Kingstanding, as the venue.
During the celebrations it seems that a couple of young blokes walked in and stood at the bar and ordered and paid for a couple of drinks for themselves. He told me that he thought that they looked like they were just a couple of young workers that had dropped in for a mid day quencher. Aparently these two guys were a bit on the ' Mod ' in terms of presentation. Both were exhibiting crew cut hair styles, both were wearing their ' Jeans ' a bit low on their backsides and both were flashing a fair area of ' Tattoos ' on their necks and arms. He said that eventually his ' Auntie ' spotted them and started to become increasingly uneasy. Some of the party asked her if she was alright and what was the problem.
Came the reply " Those two men over there, they don't look like very nice people, I hope that they don't cause any trouble ".
One of the party ups and approaches the two lads at the bar, offers them a drink and invites them over to the party table,
Offer accepted, they came over to the table and joined in the celebrations for a short while. Eventually, having chatted to everyone and causing 'Auntie ' to have a few laughs they left with a " Happy Birtday Auntie " farewell.
She ( Auntie ) now thought that they were " LOVELY, but that they should cover up a bit more and put some proper clothes on and that it was a wonder that they didn't catch their death of cold ".
He said ( my old mate ) that it had turned out to be a great little celebration and that ' Auntie ' had thoroughly enjoyed herself but that they had all had a little smile as a result of the two working lads inclusion into the event.
Listening to his story I think it runs a fair closeness with " Don't judge a book by its cover ".
I bumped into an old School mate sometime ago and amongst the general catch up conversation he told me an amusing story ( Referring back a while ).
Aparently his family had decided to take one of his ' Aunties ' out for a lunch time drink to celebrate her birthday ( I think he said it was her 85th ). They chose the public bar at the King Charles pub , Kingstanding, as the venue.
During the celebrations it seems that a couple of young blokes walked in and stood at the bar and ordered and paid for a couple of drinks for themselves. He told me that he thought that they looked like they were just a couple of young workers that had dropped in for a mid day quencher. Aparently these two guys were a bit on the ' Mod ' in terms of presentation. Both were exhibiting crew cut hair styles, both were wearing their ' Jeans ' a bit low on their backsides and both were flashing a fair area of ' Tattoos ' on their necks and arms. He said that eventually his ' Auntie ' spotted them and started to become increasingly uneasy. Some of the party asked her if she was alright and what was the problem.
Came the reply " Those two men over there, they don't look like very nice people, I hope that they don't cause any trouble ".
One of the party ups and approaches the two lads at the bar, offers them a drink and invites them over to the party table,
Offer accepted, they came over to the table and joined in the celebrations for a short while. Eventually, having chatted to everyone and causing 'Auntie ' to have a few laughs they left with a " Happy Birtday Auntie " farewell.
She ( Auntie ) now thought that they were " LOVELY, but that they should cover up a bit more and put some proper clothes on and that it was a wonder that they didn't catch their death of cold ".
He said ( my old mate ) that it had turned out to be a great little celebration and that ' Auntie ' had thoroughly enjoyed herself but that they had all had a little smile as a result of the two working lads inclusion into the event.
Listening to his story I think it runs a fair closeness with " Don't judge a book by its cover ".
Roy Blakey
master brummie
" THE WEDDING RECEPTION ".
Recalling some of those reception plans that confronted young couples. Time period : Around the early Post War years.
A typical list and notes by a young Bride to be, preparing for her Wedding reception, would probably have included some of these reminders.
THE LIST :
(1) Reminder : Money is a bit tight so we must keep all our costs down as much as possible.
(2) Note : My Dad has offered and wants to pay for the reception hall hire cost and some of the reception food and drinks costs as well. Don't want to drain his little Post Office savings so we're going for home made sandwiches.
(3) Reminder : We need to choose which venue we are going to use. We have the availability of the Church Hall or the local School Hall.
(4) Reminder : We've already been told NO ALCOHOL to be brought into either the Church or the School hall ( perhaps just a tiny bit of ' Smuggling ' might have to be accepted here. A few Nut Browns, Babychams and a few tots of Whisky and Gin will probably fill a few Handbags ).
(5) Reminder : Must check that there will be a ' Piano ' available at the reception venue.
(6) Reminder : Make absolutely sure that Auntie Ethel will be in attendance ( She plays some lovely dance tunes on the piano and we might be able to get a bit of dancing underway ).
(7) Reminder : Soft drinks and Sandwiches to be arranged. Food table with the wedding cake to be positioned at the opposite end of the room to the Piano.
(8( Reminder : Jacks Auntie Daisy is an excellent cook and she is cooking and decorating the wedding cake. We will cover the cost of all the ingredients.
( 9) Note : Thinking about the Chairs at the reception. They will have to be lined up against the walls. Trouble is that I know that the ' Brides Side ' will sit on one row of one side of the room and then the ' Bridegrooms Side ' will take up the opposite side of the room. The problem with this is that each side is left staring at one another. Must get Auntie Ethel to get the dance tunes rolling as soon as the initial part of the reception is completed.
(10) Note : Monies already paid out. £5-19-6p for the wedding photographs to be taken ( Can't not be having those though ). Will cost quite a bit for the Wedding Car. We will be having just the one car to take Dad and myself from home to the church and then Jack and myself to the reception after the wedding.
(11) Note : Still have to complete the arrangements for the Honeymoon. Weston - super - mare for a week.
Hope that everyone enjoys the wedding day and hope that Jack and I have a bit of nice weather on our honeymoon.
Jacks showing a bit of the usual ' Bridegroom to be ' nerves but I'm sure that he will alright on the day.
Recalling some of those reception plans that confronted young couples. Time period : Around the early Post War years.
A typical list and notes by a young Bride to be, preparing for her Wedding reception, would probably have included some of these reminders.
THE LIST :
(1) Reminder : Money is a bit tight so we must keep all our costs down as much as possible.
(2) Note : My Dad has offered and wants to pay for the reception hall hire cost and some of the reception food and drinks costs as well. Don't want to drain his little Post Office savings so we're going for home made sandwiches.
(3) Reminder : We need to choose which venue we are going to use. We have the availability of the Church Hall or the local School Hall.
(4) Reminder : We've already been told NO ALCOHOL to be brought into either the Church or the School hall ( perhaps just a tiny bit of ' Smuggling ' might have to be accepted here. A few Nut Browns, Babychams and a few tots of Whisky and Gin will probably fill a few Handbags ).
(5) Reminder : Must check that there will be a ' Piano ' available at the reception venue.
(6) Reminder : Make absolutely sure that Auntie Ethel will be in attendance ( She plays some lovely dance tunes on the piano and we might be able to get a bit of dancing underway ).
(7) Reminder : Soft drinks and Sandwiches to be arranged. Food table with the wedding cake to be positioned at the opposite end of the room to the Piano.
(8( Reminder : Jacks Auntie Daisy is an excellent cook and she is cooking and decorating the wedding cake. We will cover the cost of all the ingredients.
( 9) Note : Thinking about the Chairs at the reception. They will have to be lined up against the walls. Trouble is that I know that the ' Brides Side ' will sit on one row of one side of the room and then the ' Bridegrooms Side ' will take up the opposite side of the room. The problem with this is that each side is left staring at one another. Must get Auntie Ethel to get the dance tunes rolling as soon as the initial part of the reception is completed.
(10) Note : Monies already paid out. £5-19-6p for the wedding photographs to be taken ( Can't not be having those though ). Will cost quite a bit for the Wedding Car. We will be having just the one car to take Dad and myself from home to the church and then Jack and myself to the reception after the wedding.
(11) Note : Still have to complete the arrangements for the Honeymoon. Weston - super - mare for a week.
Hope that everyone enjoys the wedding day and hope that Jack and I have a bit of nice weather on our honeymoon.
Jacks showing a bit of the usual ' Bridegroom to be ' nerves but I'm sure that he will alright on the day.
Roy Blakey
master brummie
Just another comment on the Dick Barton- Special Agent radio programme discussion.
Browsing through a book " Chronicle of the 21st Century" I came across a short column referring to January 16th 1948 in which it states; Writers and Producers of the BBC's popular radio series " Dick Barton, Special Agent " have been issued 12
rules designed to protect Dick's upright character. Typical is rule 5, which lays it down that his violence " is restricted to clean socks on the jaws ". Other rules ; " Sex plays no part in his adventures", " He never lies", and no swearing.
In contrast do you remember " Max Miller " ( the cheeky chappie ) comedian, who during the same period had us all in stitches with his telling of risqué jokes. I believe that at one time the BBC thought his material too ' blue ' for broadcasting and he was banned,but public opinion was such that the Corporation was eventually forced to lift the ban.
Browsing through a book " Chronicle of the 21st Century" I came across a short column referring to January 16th 1948 in which it states; Writers and Producers of the BBC's popular radio series " Dick Barton, Special Agent " have been issued 12
rules designed to protect Dick's upright character. Typical is rule 5, which lays it down that his violence " is restricted to clean socks on the jaws ". Other rules ; " Sex plays no part in his adventures", " He never lies", and no swearing.
In contrast do you remember " Max Miller " ( the cheeky chappie ) comedian, who during the same period had us all in stitches with his telling of risqué jokes. I believe that at one time the BBC thought his material too ' blue ' for broadcasting and he was banned,but public opinion was such that the Corporation was eventually forced to lift the ban.
Roy Blakey
master brummie
" BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS ".
Period : July 1951.
There was a whole bunch of us Brummagem young men that had just been demobed from our National Service stint.
Our old gang had now regrouped and we were ( having had the great experience that the National Service had given us ) now generally feeling our way back into ' Civvy ' street and getting to know one another again.
The one thing that quickly brought us all back together again was our SPORT. Villa vs Blues vs Baggies. Jibing taunts quickly came back into play.Exploring the Dance Hall scenes together and joining a Ballroom dance school was another bonder. We had also become legally old enough to enjoy a drink or two in the Pubs. So trying out various pubs and dance halls around Brum featured in parts of our spare time.
Just prior to getting ' called up ' some of us had ' dabbled ' in a bit of amature boxing down at the Holte Pub, Aston, We were all interested in the Boxing scene and had been keeping our eye on the ' Pro ' fighters, the likes of Bruce Woodcock, Freddie Mills and Don Cockell.
We became avid fans of one local boxer, his name was Randolph Turpin, he was born and bred in Leamintgton spa.
I recall the occassion when we all sat around a radio one night and listened to this World Middle Weight title contest between our boy " Turpin " and the great American fighter " Sugar Ray Robinson ".
Randolph won. Most people considered a win was completely against the odds. I remember that we had no doubts that he could do it. It was a tremendous fight and if ever there was a demonstration of " Who wants it most ", this was it.
We were very proud of our man that night, even to the point of considering us giving it another go down the ' Holte '.
Football, Dancing and enjoying a couple of pints now and then won out though in the end.
Photo : The Turpin fight report,
Period : July 1951.
There was a whole bunch of us Brummagem young men that had just been demobed from our National Service stint.
Our old gang had now regrouped and we were ( having had the great experience that the National Service had given us ) now generally feeling our way back into ' Civvy ' street and getting to know one another again.
The one thing that quickly brought us all back together again was our SPORT. Villa vs Blues vs Baggies. Jibing taunts quickly came back into play.Exploring the Dance Hall scenes together and joining a Ballroom dance school was another bonder. We had also become legally old enough to enjoy a drink or two in the Pubs. So trying out various pubs and dance halls around Brum featured in parts of our spare time.
Just prior to getting ' called up ' some of us had ' dabbled ' in a bit of amature boxing down at the Holte Pub, Aston, We were all interested in the Boxing scene and had been keeping our eye on the ' Pro ' fighters, the likes of Bruce Woodcock, Freddie Mills and Don Cockell.
We became avid fans of one local boxer, his name was Randolph Turpin, he was born and bred in Leamintgton spa.
I recall the occassion when we all sat around a radio one night and listened to this World Middle Weight title contest between our boy " Turpin " and the great American fighter " Sugar Ray Robinson ".
Randolph won. Most people considered a win was completely against the odds. I remember that we had no doubts that he could do it. It was a tremendous fight and if ever there was a demonstration of " Who wants it most ", this was it.
We were very proud of our man that night, even to the point of considering us giving it another go down the ' Holte '.
Football, Dancing and enjoying a couple of pints now and then won out though in the end.
Photo : The Turpin fight report,
norfolk brummie
gone but not forgotten
Roy
How strange that you should remember Randolph Turpin today. Forty nine years ago, this Sunday, he shot dead his young daughter, and then himself.
My father took me to see the fighting Turpin brothers at the old Embassy Sports Drome, on the Walford Road. I always remember my father saying "Watch this young Randy Turpin, he will completely destroy his opponent, which he did.
On the night of his fight against 'Sugar' Ray Robinson, I, with a lot of other young people sat around a radio at the youth club in Conway Road School, and listened to the fight. How we all cheered when he won.
His eldest brother 'Dick' Turpin, was also a British Champion, and the middle brother Jackie, was not a bad fighter, but Randolph was the greatest.
Before his fight with Robinson, he trained somewhere in North Wales......cannot remember where, but someone on the Forum may know. My father, who was a great fight fan, took my mother to North Wales for a few days to watch Randy train.
He lost the world title a couple of months afterwards, in the return with Robinson, and after that, his life just went on a downward spiral. Woman trouble, tax problems etcetera, and as already said, a tragic ending.
The whole family came from Leamington Spa.
Freddie Mills, another world champion, was also shot, found dead in his car. I don't think anyone was ever charged.
Eddie
norfolk brummie
gone but not forgotten
Thank you Alberta. Of course that is good to hear. I was always under the impression that he had killed her.
Many thanks for the welcome news, and the correction.
Eddie
as a youg lad my father took me top the Austin Motor Co to see a boxing event.Randolph was on the bill fighting as a amateur a very promising fighter.much to the suprise of the spectators
he was knocked out. I was told later he had been knocked out at his place of work in a accident some days earlier.
I listened to his return match in America with Sugar Ray with my girl friend in the early hours
Regards
JH
he was knocked out. I was told later he had been knocked out at his place of work in a accident some days earlier.
I listened to his return match in America with Sugar Ray with my girl friend in the early hours
Regards
JH
Roy Blakey
master brummie
THE EXPORT DRIVE.
" Brum "and " Cov " rolled up their sleeves and led the way.
Early Post War British debts meant that it's balance of payments were a necessary priority and needed to be tackled quickly.
Export, Export, Export became the rule.
The Motor Vehicle industry was recognised as an important export channel.
Birmingham stood very much to the front in this respect. It's engineering factories and workforce very quickly converted from " War Effort " to " Export ".
How did the young Brummie fit into all this ?
Many Birmingham school leavers starting work in this period would have been involved in some form or level of engineering, helping the Countries Export Drive.
For a young person in this period ' working hard ' wasn't just for putting money on the table at home, wasn't just trying to please the ' Foreman ' and the ' Factory Owner '. Working hard at your work bench or machine meant that you were also doing your bit in helping your COUNTRY get back onto it's feet.
That extra purpose made all the difference to what would probably be called to- day " Job Satisfaction ".
Photo : Report made in 1948.
" Brum "and " Cov " rolled up their sleeves and led the way.
Early Post War British debts meant that it's balance of payments were a necessary priority and needed to be tackled quickly.
Export, Export, Export became the rule.
The Motor Vehicle industry was recognised as an important export channel.
Birmingham stood very much to the front in this respect. It's engineering factories and workforce very quickly converted from " War Effort " to " Export ".
How did the young Brummie fit into all this ?
Many Birmingham school leavers starting work in this period would have been involved in some form or level of engineering, helping the Countries Export Drive.
For a young person in this period ' working hard ' wasn't just for putting money on the table at home, wasn't just trying to please the ' Foreman ' and the ' Factory Owner '. Working hard at your work bench or machine meant that you were also doing your bit in helping your COUNTRY get back onto it's feet.
That extra purpose made all the difference to what would probably be called to- day " Job Satisfaction ".
Photo : Report made in 1948.
Attachments
Smudger
master brummie
norfolk brummie
gone but not forgotten
Roy & Smudger,
The decline of the British Motor Industry is a very sad tale. In the late forties I remember seeing rows upon rows of double decker buses parked outside the Longbridge Works, waiting fo the hooters to tell thousands of workers it was time to go home, and get on those buses.
Five or six years ago, my wife and I drove past that same Longbridge works. Broken windows, nature taking over. Really upsetting.
The Singer Motor Works, on the Coventry Road, was also a busy factory. Now gone.
In the early sixties I visited South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and British made cars were still very popular. Now?.....Japanese names everywhere.
Smudger, we still have Lotus here in Norfolk, but they struggle.
Our problem? We had the cars, but.........we also had the unions!!
Eddie
The decline of the British Motor Industry is a very sad tale. In the late forties I remember seeing rows upon rows of double decker buses parked outside the Longbridge Works, waiting fo the hooters to tell thousands of workers it was time to go home, and get on those buses.
Five or six years ago, my wife and I drove past that same Longbridge works. Broken windows, nature taking over. Really upsetting.
The Singer Motor Works, on the Coventry Road, was also a busy factory. Now gone.
In the early sixties I visited South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and British made cars were still very popular. Now?.....Japanese names everywhere.
Smudger, we still have Lotus here in Norfolk, but they struggle.
Our problem? We had the cars, but.........we also had the unions!!
Eddie
sospiri
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Eddie,
My cousin was Principal Project Engineer at Lotus until he took retirement two years ago. Of course, it's just one cog of a large Malaysian-owned group now and car production is just a small part of it's income. Much comes from sub-contracts from other from other engineering companies for whom they carry out specialised research. He found that the continuing changes of senior management was very unsettling to the staff and couldn't wait to retire at the end.
Maurice
My cousin was Principal Project Engineer at Lotus until he took retirement two years ago. Of course, it's just one cog of a large Malaysian-owned group now and car production is just a small part of it's income. Much comes from sub-contracts from other from other engineering companies for whom they carry out specialised research. He found that the continuing changes of senior management was very unsettling to the staff and couldn't wait to retire at the end.
Maurice
paul stacey
master brummie
Don't forget Aston Martin Smudger, Paul
Roy Blakey
master brummie
" HEY, LOOK AT THAT, IT'S A ROLLS ROYCE ".
Thinking about how we kids viewed cars and car makers. There wasn't too many cars to be seen at the time that I'm talking about.I recall that we kids would see a few cars of the likes of the Austin 7 ( that was a little one to us ) there was the Ford 8 HP and the Morris 8 ( middle size ) and a big one would be some thing like a Wolseley.
The cars that we did see would mainly only be used for ' essential purposes ' at that time ( wartime petrol rationing ).
I don't think that any of our kids group ever had a ride in a car until we became young men and women and that would be well after the war.
I do recall that there was one occassion when we saw a " Rolls Royce " on the car park of the " Kingstanding " pub.
Wow, did we think it was posh. Thinking about it now, I reckon it would have probably been some high officials transport or even some posh persons hire car for a wedding.
It impressed us anyway. We recognised a bit of quality.
Photo : Might have been this one.
Thinking about how we kids viewed cars and car makers. There wasn't too many cars to be seen at the time that I'm talking about.I recall that we kids would see a few cars of the likes of the Austin 7 ( that was a little one to us ) there was the Ford 8 HP and the Morris 8 ( middle size ) and a big one would be some thing like a Wolseley.
The cars that we did see would mainly only be used for ' essential purposes ' at that time ( wartime petrol rationing ).
I don't think that any of our kids group ever had a ride in a car until we became young men and women and that would be well after the war.
I do recall that there was one occassion when we saw a " Rolls Royce " on the car park of the " Kingstanding " pub.
Wow, did we think it was posh. Thinking about it now, I reckon it would have probably been some high officials transport or even some posh persons hire car for a wedding.
It impressed us anyway. We recognised a bit of quality.
Photo : Might have been this one.
Smudger
master brummie
Back in the 50`s if you were lucky enough to own a motor car, when parking your car at night you had to attach a battery operated parking light to your side window, sometimes you had to crank the engine to get it started, change the engine oil every 3 months, crawl underneath to grease various nipples, the indicators were little arms that sprang out or you had to wind down the window to give hand signals (very enjoyable when it was wet & windy ) All in all, todays cars may not have the "character" of yesteryears cars but they are a lot more user friendly.
Don`t click on image below, it doesn`t work.
Don`t click on image below, it doesn`t work.
Attachments
norfolk brummie
gone but not forgotten
Roy Blakey
master brummie
" CAN I MIND IT FOR YOU MISTER ".
(Period : Around 1974 ). A Saturday car trip to the local ' pro ' football ground. You would find yourself looking for a parking spot to leave your car. Get in as close to the Football stadium as possible. Yes, this will do ( a street parking spot not far from the ground ).
It was now that the local kids would appear from out of nowhere and suggest that for a ' small tip ' they would keep an eye on your car whilst you where at the match.
For some reason, it always seemed probably better to pay it than not pay it ( you car owners will know what I'm talking about I think ).
So ' tip ' paid and off to the match you would go. Match enjoyed. Back to the car. No problems, there it is, no damage,jump in and drive home.
There was just this one occassion,when taking my two Sons down to Villa Park,that I approached the ground from a different direction. Getting close to the ground I spotted an obvious parking spot ( just under the M6 flyover and right next to Witton Cemetry). Ideal. Parked up ( no kids ' attendants ' to be seen ), OH well, saves a couple of Bob I suppose.
A lengthy walk down to the ground. Watched and enjoyed the match. Made our way back to the car.
IT WASN'T THERE.
Yes, as sure as houses, it had been STOLLEN. It was never found,we never saw it again.
From then on I was glad to go for the " CAN I MIND YOUR CAR FOR YOU MISTER " option, No hesitation, just get that couple of Bob out and go and enjoy the match.
(Period : Around 1974 ). A Saturday car trip to the local ' pro ' football ground. You would find yourself looking for a parking spot to leave your car. Get in as close to the Football stadium as possible. Yes, this will do ( a street parking spot not far from the ground ).
It was now that the local kids would appear from out of nowhere and suggest that for a ' small tip ' they would keep an eye on your car whilst you where at the match.
For some reason, it always seemed probably better to pay it than not pay it ( you car owners will know what I'm talking about I think ).
So ' tip ' paid and off to the match you would go. Match enjoyed. Back to the car. No problems, there it is, no damage,jump in and drive home.
There was just this one occassion,when taking my two Sons down to Villa Park,that I approached the ground from a different direction. Getting close to the ground I spotted an obvious parking spot ( just under the M6 flyover and right next to Witton Cemetry). Ideal. Parked up ( no kids ' attendants ' to be seen ), OH well, saves a couple of Bob I suppose.
A lengthy walk down to the ground. Watched and enjoyed the match. Made our way back to the car.
IT WASN'T THERE.
Yes, as sure as houses, it had been STOLLEN. It was never found,we never saw it again.
From then on I was glad to go for the " CAN I MIND YOUR CAR FOR YOU MISTER " option, No hesitation, just get that couple of Bob out and go and enjoy the match.
paul stacey
master brummie
Now come on Smudge,!! don't tell me you don't miss joys of yesterday driving??, the old "Double de clutching", large steering wheel without power steering, just shoe brakes, so bad that when you had to pull the hand brake as well as foot braking, when traveling down a steep hill. The joys of night driving with 6 volt head lamps, the stopping of the windscreen wipers when in heavy rain, the no heater in winter, when the inside windows were frozen solid, ho, the joys of 50's motoring. Paul.
Smudger
master brummie
I didn`t forget Eddie, I just didn`t have a torque wrench.
Running in, please pass.
Statistically 100% of all divorces started with marriage. I married Miss Right: I just didn`t know her first name was always. I haven`t spoken to her for 18 months - I don`t like to interrupt her.
Smudger
master brummie
We were tough in them olden days!!
brummie nick
master brummie
How about he 'joy' of having to drain the radiator on frosty nights, before the days of anti freeze.?
Roy Blakey
master brummie
STUCK IN THE HOUSE . The steamed up Window. Perfect to do a little drawing on.
Pre Double Glazing period.
I wonder how many times would the kids get told off for doing this.
Weather outside unsuitable for ' playing out ', the kids are getting a bit bored. A few back and forth visits to the front windows to see if any of the other kids are out and about on the street.
A finger wipe on the steamed up window to clear a patch. No, nothing doing out there yet. Let's draw a few faces and images on the windows then, will pass a bit of time.
Mom eventually arrives in the room and a few words are said reminding us that she will have to clean wipe the windows again now and that she has far better things to do than tidy up after us.
Jeez, how come we always seem to get into some sort of trouble, with Mom , when we have to ' stay in '.
It was the same a couple of weeks ago, when we had to stay in and we where up in our bedroom and we were building a tent and a cave with our bed sheets. Mom wasn't too pleased with that either.
Sometimes ' Grown Ups ' are real spoilsports you know!
Pre Double Glazing period.
I wonder how many times would the kids get told off for doing this.
Weather outside unsuitable for ' playing out ', the kids are getting a bit bored. A few back and forth visits to the front windows to see if any of the other kids are out and about on the street.
A finger wipe on the steamed up window to clear a patch. No, nothing doing out there yet. Let's draw a few faces and images on the windows then, will pass a bit of time.
Mom eventually arrives in the room and a few words are said reminding us that she will have to clean wipe the windows again now and that she has far better things to do than tidy up after us.
Jeez, how come we always seem to get into some sort of trouble, with Mom , when we have to ' stay in '.
It was the same a couple of weeks ago, when we had to stay in and we where up in our bedroom and we were building a tent and a cave with our bed sheets. Mom wasn't too pleased with that either.
Sometimes ' Grown Ups ' are real spoilsports you know!