Post by Dream Loxley on Nov 22, 2008 8:28:32 GMT -5
When I first had the idea for this blog section I had lots of thoughts and ideas for writing, but it was not until this last week really that I decided yes, I would take pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard probably a better description these days.
What really prompted me to fulfill my original idea was watching yet another news item about how the teenagers of today are actually dying from liver disease and other drink/drugs related illness. This both shocked and saddened me, but the real thing that got me most was the thought "How can they afford to drink so much??" I discussed this with my Husband who actually grew up with me on the same housing estate way back when we would all club together, pennies picked up from the streets, and change we had already. Between us we would often have enough money to purchase a packet of 5 cigarettes and a bottle of Cider *L* yes, I was a smoker in my teens, but I never had enough money to be what I would call a real smoker until I started work full time. So, a packet of 5 'fags' and a bottle of probably Woodpecker cider was a naughty treat on a Saturday night.
We would usually be on the streets of the village I grew up in, not causing real trouble or damage like they do these days, but simply hanging around because we had nothing else to do. I was probably around 12 or 13 then. The local policeman/Bobby was always to hand so we were not really able to get up to much mischief, mind you I don't think we were that way inclined. Vandalizing somebody elses property or stealing was not something any of us really thought about then, I suppose we all valued what we had and knew others worked hard for what they had too. I shall go back further to paint a better picture of life then.
I was born to what was known then as a working class family, with one 3 year old Brother. We lived in a 'Council' House on a newly built estate, I was actually the first baby to be Christened/Baptized in the new Church too. The Government built many of these housing estates after the War and they grew with us into sometimes quite large areas of houses, bungalows and flats (Apartments) There were Schools, playing areas and as I said, a Church. We were only a mile from the local shops and there was a regular bus service to the larger Towns. Hand on heart I can truly say I loved living there, and I enjoyed a wonderful childhood. At times it was hard but then again I didn't know any different. Our house had 3 bedrooms with an upstairs bathroom and separate toilet, yes an indoor loo! We had a reasonable sized kitchen, dining room and sitting room plus a good sized garden. There was no garage because most people didn't own a car then, but there was a purpose built brick shed and a 'boiler and mangle' for doing the weekly wash. I shall elaborate on that *L* Each new home had this large I guess you would call it an iron bucket. It was on casters and had a tap at the bottom to let the water out. I can't remember fully how it was filled, but it was attached to the gas and heated the water to wash clothes etc. The mangle was attached to the top and Mum would lift the washing up with tongs, because the water was hot, then turn a handle and the washing would be pressed between two rollers *L* quite archaic but it worked! It would be several years before we purchased a twin tub, electrical washing machine. I do remember being quite afraid of this hot and steaming monster that would devour my clothes once a week only to spit them out again all flattened!
So, the house was home, and I lived there for 21 years, I was actually born there because in those days lots of Mum's had the choice of a home birth. Well, of course I don't remember those very early years, but Mum did tell me she forgot me once *L* she had pushed the pram to the shops, my 3 year old Brother obviously taking her mind away from me, and she left me outside the Butchers! She got all the way home before she realized she was missing something *L* I laugh about it but I can imagine her fears. Suffice to say I was none the worse for my 'ordeal' and apparently the Butcher was quite happy to keep me amused and gave Mum some meat to ease her stress! I do remember walking home once from the shops, dragging my heals because it seemed such a very long way. I had spent my pocket money on a new toy. It was a black plastic doll, and I wasn't allowed to open it until I got home incase the little dummy and other things got lost. Funny how some things stick in your memory. I did love that little dolly and it is actually still in the loft, safely packed away in my memory box, along with a few other toys and memorabilia from those days.
Life seemed to pass without too many hiccups for me, Dad was a lorry driver, and was away most weeks as back then there were no motorways and no rules at to how long one could drive without stops. They had overnight places to stay, he would call them 'digs' but I never knew why. He worked hard, lifting sheds and greenhouses on his own, delivering them all
over the UK. I remember I would always look on the map to see where he was, and perhaps that fascination has always stayed as even today I love to research places and maps. Dad would always bring something home with him on a Friday, and we would wait eagerly by the front gate, listening for the sound of his lorry. As the years went by, more and more people had cars in our road, and he would grumble at not being able to park outside our house *S* another thing stuck in my memory *S* Back then we had a dog, she was amazing, Trudy was her name, she was a pedigree Boxer, not a bulldog, but the prettier one. I think we took her in from somebody Dad knew so she didn't cost us anything. She was my friend for years, and I adored her. She had puppies too, and that was an amazing experience, but my point is that this particular Friday, she had just had her puppies, perhaps a few days before, but she heard Dad's lorry before any of us, or she simply knew he was coming. She was very weak and tired, but we all had to watch in awe as she waddled down the front path to greet him. The puppies were just adorable, but we had to find homes for them to pay the vet bills. Trudy had a difficult birth, apparently because she was a snub nosed dog, we had to get the Vet and only 4 pups survived, but feeding them by hand the first few days was an experience I shall never forget. She had to have an emergency operation in the end, but survived and went on to live a very long and happy life. We had to sell the puppies to pay the Vet, but they were just amazing little things to play with, we missed them terribly after they were gone.
I remember Winter time was dreadful, we had just one coal open fire in the sitting room, and a small paraffin heater we used in the kitchen to keep the place warm. I would wake up to a freezing cold bedroom and try opening the curtains to find them frozen to the windows with frost inside *L* Mum would get up early to light the fire and then call us down to dress. Our clothes would be stacked on the fireguard, all warm, and we would wash in the kitchen. Sometimes, even now I smile when I sit in a lovely warm room here, and know there will be no frost inside. We had a coalman deliver coal each week, and were lucky because there was actually a coal merchant just over the back fields behind our house. Sneaking down there with a wheelbarrow sometimes at night was an adventure, of course many of the neighbours did it too......we would almost have enough for a party some nights. There was also one man who would visit each week, I never knew who he was, and wasn't really bothered, but some years ago Mum confided in me. He was what was commonly known then as the Tally man, a loan shark, she borrowed from to make ends meet. I don't think Dad ever knew, bless him. He had two jobs, at weekends he would drive for a local taxi company to give Mum more money. Yes back then most Husbands handed over their wage packet on a Friday, and Mum would give him a few pounds for his own use. I can't imagine many men doing that now, even modern man. I much prefer to have joint accounts and share everything, but I guess with no bank accounts or cheque books, credit cards....every penny had to count.
We didn't go without much, but most things were second hand, or acquired by Dad. He knew so many people and would often sell something or work extra, and of course sometimes things would appear having 'fallen from the back of a lorry'. Not actually stealing, but I suppose still dishonest. Needs must I guess *S* We had such a huge family, Mum and Dad were both from families of 8 children, so our house was often filled with relatives visiting. Shelling peas with one of my Nan's is a very vivid and fond memory. My other Nan used to loosen my knitting for me *L* I always ended up with the stitches too tight! We did have a small car at some stage in my life, and would travel to the seaside where Dad's family still live today. I remember family gatherings, Weddings parties, huge affairs.....incredible events I was honoured to be part of. Perhaps another blog *S* I had a special dress for these occasions......I recall Mum taking me to a shop. It was upstairs above another shop and they sold second hand clothes, really good ones that you would never know were not new. Mum insisted on this bright red dress, I can still remember it with horror, I hated the thing *L* but it held me in good stead and I wore it many times until I grew out of it. People say today I should wear red because of my dark hair.....I wonder if I was put off by that
dress *L*
We were known then as 'latch key' kids......again, I don't know why that expression. But Mum worked too, she cleaned for several posher homes, so we would come home from school to an empty house, and of course during holidays we were often alone at home. Probably illegal now, but we had so many Aunts and Uncles, neighbours homes were always available should anything go wrong. I cannot recall ever feeling unsafe, but I did make myself a promise that I kept. When I had my babies, I stayed at home until they were settled at school before returning to work, even then it was a part time job so I was always home when they finished school. I feel that is a very important part of their life and was very glad I could fulfill my promise.
As we grew up, we would be allowed to play further afield, and during summertime we were always out and about. I laugh now when I watch the news.......if we climbed a tree and fell out, then it was tough luck, get on with it. These days the council would probably be sued for planting the tree there in the first place! We had no phones, no means of keeping in touch, we made our own entertainment, and enjoyed our childhood for what it was. We did have a TV and I remember special days when cartoons were on, Easter and Christmas, such a treat. Now there are dedicated channels constantly entertaining little ones. We had record players, and would save up to buy an LP, each one special and appreciated, now music is constant and free, taken for granted perhaps. There was a traveling grocer who would come around each Saturday, that was a real treat because he sold fizzy drinks and crisps. Saturday night was usually the only time we had such delights, along with whatever film was showing that night on the TV. Another reason to appreciate those finer things perhaps.
I suppose I am just simply reminicing......remembering those times, comparing them to now and wondering if times today are really so good. Yes I know we have to change with the times and we have come such a long way with technology and such.......but does that all make up for what we lack.....the family values, all sitting around the table together for dinner. Watching TV just some nights, others playing games together or reading by candle light because there was no money for the meter. We have so much today, do we really appreciate it all, or do our children receive everything that
they expect so much more without even wondering how they will get it, how their parents will pay for it. Do they even care? By today's standards we would probably have been considered poor back then, but I wouldn't change a thing and I value each memory I have. My own children have grown up with those same values, perhaps another blog *S* another day.
So often I find myself asking......is life today really that much better.......considering just how much we have lost along the way to get here.
What really prompted me to fulfill my original idea was watching yet another news item about how the teenagers of today are actually dying from liver disease and other drink/drugs related illness. This both shocked and saddened me, but the real thing that got me most was the thought "How can they afford to drink so much??" I discussed this with my Husband who actually grew up with me on the same housing estate way back when we would all club together, pennies picked up from the streets, and change we had already. Between us we would often have enough money to purchase a packet of 5 cigarettes and a bottle of Cider *L* yes, I was a smoker in my teens, but I never had enough money to be what I would call a real smoker until I started work full time. So, a packet of 5 'fags' and a bottle of probably Woodpecker cider was a naughty treat on a Saturday night.
We would usually be on the streets of the village I grew up in, not causing real trouble or damage like they do these days, but simply hanging around because we had nothing else to do. I was probably around 12 or 13 then. The local policeman/Bobby was always to hand so we were not really able to get up to much mischief, mind you I don't think we were that way inclined. Vandalizing somebody elses property or stealing was not something any of us really thought about then, I suppose we all valued what we had and knew others worked hard for what they had too. I shall go back further to paint a better picture of life then.
I was born to what was known then as a working class family, with one 3 year old Brother. We lived in a 'Council' House on a newly built estate, I was actually the first baby to be Christened/Baptized in the new Church too. The Government built many of these housing estates after the War and they grew with us into sometimes quite large areas of houses, bungalows and flats (Apartments) There were Schools, playing areas and as I said, a Church. We were only a mile from the local shops and there was a regular bus service to the larger Towns. Hand on heart I can truly say I loved living there, and I enjoyed a wonderful childhood. At times it was hard but then again I didn't know any different. Our house had 3 bedrooms with an upstairs bathroom and separate toilet, yes an indoor loo! We had a reasonable sized kitchen, dining room and sitting room plus a good sized garden. There was no garage because most people didn't own a car then, but there was a purpose built brick shed and a 'boiler and mangle' for doing the weekly wash. I shall elaborate on that *L* Each new home had this large I guess you would call it an iron bucket. It was on casters and had a tap at the bottom to let the water out. I can't remember fully how it was filled, but it was attached to the gas and heated the water to wash clothes etc. The mangle was attached to the top and Mum would lift the washing up with tongs, because the water was hot, then turn a handle and the washing would be pressed between two rollers *L* quite archaic but it worked! It would be several years before we purchased a twin tub, electrical washing machine. I do remember being quite afraid of this hot and steaming monster that would devour my clothes once a week only to spit them out again all flattened!
So, the house was home, and I lived there for 21 years, I was actually born there because in those days lots of Mum's had the choice of a home birth. Well, of course I don't remember those very early years, but Mum did tell me she forgot me once *L* she had pushed the pram to the shops, my 3 year old Brother obviously taking her mind away from me, and she left me outside the Butchers! She got all the way home before she realized she was missing something *L* I laugh about it but I can imagine her fears. Suffice to say I was none the worse for my 'ordeal' and apparently the Butcher was quite happy to keep me amused and gave Mum some meat to ease her stress! I do remember walking home once from the shops, dragging my heals because it seemed such a very long way. I had spent my pocket money on a new toy. It was a black plastic doll, and I wasn't allowed to open it until I got home incase the little dummy and other things got lost. Funny how some things stick in your memory. I did love that little dolly and it is actually still in the loft, safely packed away in my memory box, along with a few other toys and memorabilia from those days.
Life seemed to pass without too many hiccups for me, Dad was a lorry driver, and was away most weeks as back then there were no motorways and no rules at to how long one could drive without stops. They had overnight places to stay, he would call them 'digs' but I never knew why. He worked hard, lifting sheds and greenhouses on his own, delivering them all
over the UK. I remember I would always look on the map to see where he was, and perhaps that fascination has always stayed as even today I love to research places and maps. Dad would always bring something home with him on a Friday, and we would wait eagerly by the front gate, listening for the sound of his lorry. As the years went by, more and more people had cars in our road, and he would grumble at not being able to park outside our house *S* another thing stuck in my memory *S* Back then we had a dog, she was amazing, Trudy was her name, she was a pedigree Boxer, not a bulldog, but the prettier one. I think we took her in from somebody Dad knew so she didn't cost us anything. She was my friend for years, and I adored her. She had puppies too, and that was an amazing experience, but my point is that this particular Friday, she had just had her puppies, perhaps a few days before, but she heard Dad's lorry before any of us, or she simply knew he was coming. She was very weak and tired, but we all had to watch in awe as she waddled down the front path to greet him. The puppies were just adorable, but we had to find homes for them to pay the vet bills. Trudy had a difficult birth, apparently because she was a snub nosed dog, we had to get the Vet and only 4 pups survived, but feeding them by hand the first few days was an experience I shall never forget. She had to have an emergency operation in the end, but survived and went on to live a very long and happy life. We had to sell the puppies to pay the Vet, but they were just amazing little things to play with, we missed them terribly after they were gone.
I remember Winter time was dreadful, we had just one coal open fire in the sitting room, and a small paraffin heater we used in the kitchen to keep the place warm. I would wake up to a freezing cold bedroom and try opening the curtains to find them frozen to the windows with frost inside *L* Mum would get up early to light the fire and then call us down to dress. Our clothes would be stacked on the fireguard, all warm, and we would wash in the kitchen. Sometimes, even now I smile when I sit in a lovely warm room here, and know there will be no frost inside. We had a coalman deliver coal each week, and were lucky because there was actually a coal merchant just over the back fields behind our house. Sneaking down there with a wheelbarrow sometimes at night was an adventure, of course many of the neighbours did it too......we would almost have enough for a party some nights. There was also one man who would visit each week, I never knew who he was, and wasn't really bothered, but some years ago Mum confided in me. He was what was commonly known then as the Tally man, a loan shark, she borrowed from to make ends meet. I don't think Dad ever knew, bless him. He had two jobs, at weekends he would drive for a local taxi company to give Mum more money. Yes back then most Husbands handed over their wage packet on a Friday, and Mum would give him a few pounds for his own use. I can't imagine many men doing that now, even modern man. I much prefer to have joint accounts and share everything, but I guess with no bank accounts or cheque books, credit cards....every penny had to count.
We didn't go without much, but most things were second hand, or acquired by Dad. He knew so many people and would often sell something or work extra, and of course sometimes things would appear having 'fallen from the back of a lorry'. Not actually stealing, but I suppose still dishonest. Needs must I guess *S* We had such a huge family, Mum and Dad were both from families of 8 children, so our house was often filled with relatives visiting. Shelling peas with one of my Nan's is a very vivid and fond memory. My other Nan used to loosen my knitting for me *L* I always ended up with the stitches too tight! We did have a small car at some stage in my life, and would travel to the seaside where Dad's family still live today. I remember family gatherings, Weddings parties, huge affairs.....incredible events I was honoured to be part of. Perhaps another blog *S* I had a special dress for these occasions......I recall Mum taking me to a shop. It was upstairs above another shop and they sold second hand clothes, really good ones that you would never know were not new. Mum insisted on this bright red dress, I can still remember it with horror, I hated the thing *L* but it held me in good stead and I wore it many times until I grew out of it. People say today I should wear red because of my dark hair.....I wonder if I was put off by that
dress *L*
We were known then as 'latch key' kids......again, I don't know why that expression. But Mum worked too, she cleaned for several posher homes, so we would come home from school to an empty house, and of course during holidays we were often alone at home. Probably illegal now, but we had so many Aunts and Uncles, neighbours homes were always available should anything go wrong. I cannot recall ever feeling unsafe, but I did make myself a promise that I kept. When I had my babies, I stayed at home until they were settled at school before returning to work, even then it was a part time job so I was always home when they finished school. I feel that is a very important part of their life and was very glad I could fulfill my promise.
As we grew up, we would be allowed to play further afield, and during summertime we were always out and about. I laugh now when I watch the news.......if we climbed a tree and fell out, then it was tough luck, get on with it. These days the council would probably be sued for planting the tree there in the first place! We had no phones, no means of keeping in touch, we made our own entertainment, and enjoyed our childhood for what it was. We did have a TV and I remember special days when cartoons were on, Easter and Christmas, such a treat. Now there are dedicated channels constantly entertaining little ones. We had record players, and would save up to buy an LP, each one special and appreciated, now music is constant and free, taken for granted perhaps. There was a traveling grocer who would come around each Saturday, that was a real treat because he sold fizzy drinks and crisps. Saturday night was usually the only time we had such delights, along with whatever film was showing that night on the TV. Another reason to appreciate those finer things perhaps.
I suppose I am just simply reminicing......remembering those times, comparing them to now and wondering if times today are really so good. Yes I know we have to change with the times and we have come such a long way with technology and such.......but does that all make up for what we lack.....the family values, all sitting around the table together for dinner. Watching TV just some nights, others playing games together or reading by candle light because there was no money for the meter. We have so much today, do we really appreciate it all, or do our children receive everything that
they expect so much more without even wondering how they will get it, how their parents will pay for it. Do they even care? By today's standards we would probably have been considered poor back then, but I wouldn't change a thing and I value each memory I have. My own children have grown up with those same values, perhaps another blog *S* another day.
So often I find myself asking......is life today really that much better.......considering just how much we have lost along the way to get here.
Glad I invoked some memories Bren.......would love to read more of yours! I have so much I want to write about.....if time allows 
