I posted some of this this a few years ago September 8th, 2004 in Fact...
I remember even in the early 50's going with mom in to town to see what was then known as 'The
Panel' armed with heaps of paper and information about our family, and having to prove that Dad was registered as Blind and that my brother and sister attended a school for children with poor vision.
We also had visits from a chap about once every two weeks. He used to frighten me to death, he would bellow questions at mom and even ask me things like “Where’s your father?” “How many sisters do you have and how many brothers?” “ Where are your toy’s?” I wasn’t even 5yrs old, but was expected to answer and the answers were always the same “He’s at the blind place”. ”Our Ken, our 'laine “ “Ain’t got none”.
We had nothing to hide, because we had nothing back then.
That is what being on National Assistance meant back then, no free rides. You really had to work hard to get anything out of them, it was far better if you could find work and support your family.
I walked the streets with my Dad in all weathers selling packs for 'The Blind Institute' containing; A Writing Pad, Pen, Pencil an envelopes in Summer and Christmas Cards in November, he got a small % of the money from what we sold . I used to go all around Brum with him after school and on Saturdays to earn just a few pence to help feed and cloth us.
We had free school meals and free shoes and socks we kids did "Paper Rounds" morning and evenings and "The Coke Run" every Saturday morning (A totally different meaning today and probably more lucrative). We folded leaflets for so much a hundred and put Hairgrips on cards again for a few pence a hundred.
As I have already post too, on another thread Dad played the piano in the local pubs wherever we lived for a Jar full of coins, again these coppers also went in to the housekeeping.
However this is what helped me get to where and what I am today. I like what I am and what I've achieved, so who could ask for more out of life.
By the way Fred I've lightened up your pic' hope you don't mind.
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Pom