recollections of a magical childood
Mimosa & Medication Memories!
"Good Morning, you boys.
Cup of tea and a biscuit?"
After cleaning and polishing everybody's shoes (including a suede pair!) from 6 o'clock (or even 5) the bedroom door would open and Pop would shove a cup of tea with a Custard Cream wedged onto the saucer into your hand. There was nowhere to put it down so you had to sit up and hold it. Mind that drip swinging on the pipe end! "Get out! Bast you dog!"
The biscuit barrel sat on the sideboard next to the clock (see Page 3!)
I know the clock image is small and the Coke can irrelevant, but you wouldn't believe how long I spent trying to find a decent image of a similar clock!
Fantastic stuff!
A few years later, I eventually managed to find a better image! Although I can see that the typeface/font is different. This is more Art Deco.
Can you find an image of the clock that sat on the top of the cabinet above the sideboard? It was quite unusual! And we broke it!
Can you describe the clock we nearly broke as I can't bring it to mind at the moment so can't search!
Well, I think the clock must have been a 'Wall Clock" that had had its base removed to stand on the cabinet. It was a bit like these but with a pointed top with two wooden finials which happened to be loose. We broke the pendulum spring strip. Ooops! Can't find a proper likeness...probably worth a lot now, no doubt!
Yes, I remember the clock now.
I've got two topics running in my head. First one is medication - after Milk of Magnesia (chalky taste) and Optrex (not sure we were given that often - unless a soot smut from a train journey was lingering!) already mentioned (see Page 19), there was; digging out splinters with a needle from the cotton and thread box, treating those weeping grazes we got when we fell over with a nice dab of TCP (sure to bring water to your eyes and such a distinctive smell) and finished off with an Elastoplast plaster made of woven fabric.
The threads would gradually fray and, when the plaster was yanked off, the adhesive was impossible to remove so you'd have dirty sticky marks surrounding the wound!
Vaseline or was it Germolene for cuts and grazes - also my Mum loved some sort of cold cream in a blue tub - was it Nivea or something else?
Coughs were treated with the dreaded Owbridges!
I remember the taste of Owbridges pretty well...a bit like Marmite and tar...and those horrible cloth elastoplasts the glue of which I am allergic to even now!
Second is cleaning products! Such as; Tide, Surf, Daz, Omo, Lux, Lifebuoy, Dreft and Vim!
I think I've found the electric fire which stood in the living-room fireplace but it was a coppery colour not silvery/grey.
You're bang-on with the fire. The advert actually states it is available in Matt Silver or Matt Copper Bronze so they obviously opted for the latter. I don't remember the "Full Heat" foot switch though but examining the drawing I spy the on/off toggle switch that we used to give a bit of a hammering!
And I was looking for the 'Put-u-up' as Nanna called it but could only come up with this. Tony used to enthusiastically leap up on it and ...erm shag the cushions when everybody was out! (Well, what's a dog to do when bored?) Just watch out for the sticky bits, boys, eh?
As for the Put-u-ups I think it was a cross between these two (above and right).
I'm pretty sure the put-u-up was like the one on the right because I remember the arms curving down.
I've also been looking for the banjo style barometer online but can't find exact item...daft really because I've got the very one here hanging in the hall along with the bookcase!!
You'll have to take a photo of the barometer and send it so we can include it!
Sorry for the delay. I found the camera two days ago, but couldn't find where Helen kept the USB lead! (Eventually, found in a most illogical place....to a logically thinking man, of course! I hope they will be of useable quality.
The images look great.
Incidentally, as soon as I saw the photo of the bookcase I recalled the little black key(s) that used to be in the lock(s). The handle has some sort of pierced design. Do you remember them and have you got a key still?
Yes, we still have the black keys to the bookcase (but only 2) and they're still a bugger to operate as they always were if you remember...because the keyhole(s) are not properly aligned with the locks.......
...oh and one is bent...which it always was too. (thought you'd ask me for a picture...so here it is!)
Blimey! I remember the fact that they were difficult to fit in the keyhole and that one was bent now that you've reminded me!
That takes me right back!
We did mention the hat stand in the hall with the dog's lead hanging on it but wasn't there also a coat hook contraption - pieces of wood set diagonally to create three diamonds with a mirror set in the middle "diamond" shape?
The framed diamond shaped wall mirror in the hall was cobbled together by my dad who also put up the wooden battens either side with the coat hooks; probably because when all the family stayed there were a lot of coats to accommodate. I think he stole some of the bits of wood from a conventional free-standing clothes stand which they owned (early DIY days eh!).
I didn't know your Dad had made the coat hook contraption.
Did we ever go together to the model village at Corfe Castle? I know I've been there but can't remember whether we went in our early days with any of our parents.
Yes, we did go to Corfe model village with our parents.
On the way to Corfe, there used to be rail tracks across the road which we used to wonder about. I suspect they were for this narrow gauge ball clay railway... Just another little gem and this!
The website link you found is fantastic. That's why there were those rail tracks that intrigued us!
We certainly did Longleat (before the lions I believe) and Beaulieu, (that was Lord Montague wasn't it?)..can you remember anywhere else?
Can't remember anywhere else, in particular, I'm afraid.
The Model Railway Boscombe
Starting with some photos taken in 1960 of the Boscombe Model Railway layout we recalled in a previous section. I didn't expect to ever see images of that layout again!!
Well done! Fantastic set of photos...especially the Boscombe Model railway...it was better than I remembered it!
There are a lot more photos of the layout from the brochure HERE. Apparently, the owners and builders of the layout were E. Rankine Gray and H. Hunter Wild (great names!). They "feature" in the archival film below. There is another beneath it of an even poorer quality but interesting, nevertheless.
British model railway, 1940-s. Film 416.mp49.5mm silent film ON THE RIGHT TRACK (Film Cameo No.3).mp4
Then we have some street scenes. Click on any of them to enjoy them in all their true detailed glory!!
Christchurch Road, looking east 1962 – cars identified from left to right; Morris Minor 1000, Ford Van, Ford Prefect or Popular, Austin A40 and Vauxhall Wyvern
Grand Cinema, Westbourne 1954 – cars identified from left to right; Ford Thames Van, Humber Snipe (?) and Standard Vanguard Junior (or Ten)
Maxwell Road and Charminster Road 1966 – cars identified from left to right on the road; Fiat 1100, Ford Zodiac Mk2 Convertible by Carbodies, Mk II Jaguar, Mk3 Ford Zephyr, Bedford Dormobile (remember those "ear-shaped" flashing indicators on the roof?). Back of forecourt; Ford Popular or Prefect, Mk1 Ford Zodiac (behind it). Left side of forecourt; Standard Eight, Ford Thames 5cwt Van and Ford Anglia 105E. Front edge of forecourt; Vauxhall Victor, Ford Mk2 Consul, and another, Austin A35, Ford Thames Van, Austin/Morris Minor Traveller, Austin Cambridge or another Ford Mk2 Zephyr, Ford Anglia Estate? Note adverts for Mackeson Ale and Hovis bread plus Cooperative shop and Launderette!
Seabourne Road, Pokesdown 1968 – cars identified from left to right; Mk1 Ford Cortina, Austin Seven/Mini, Ford Mk 3 Ford Zodiac, Austin ?, Ford Consul Classic, Riley 1.5, Ford Anglia 105E and Hillman Minx
Wimborne Road by Bryanstone Road, looking south, with trolleybus – cars identified from left to right; Ford Escort, ??, Austin A55, Austin A35, Morris/Commer Van, Ford Consul Classic
Somerset Garage in Somerset Road, Pokesdown 1961 - must mention some of the signs, stickers and products being sold at the Somerset Garage; RAC, MOT symbol, National Fuel, Green Shield stamps, Champion Plugs, Castrol, Ferodo Brake Testing Station, Michelin Map, For Sale (chalked board), Cigarette Cabinet with Senior Service and others, Esso Blue Paraffin Sticker on front and Dagenite Batteries!
Some more incredibly evocative photos here........
I see Bournemouth Square still had the tram station in the middle in 1932. I wonder when that was all changed into a roundabout?
Note advert for Ivor Novello at the Pier Theatreand the very seductive (for us) same-day developing and printing service at the Kodak shop!
I found this photo wallet with a few old negatives in it. It must have been from my Mum and Dad and would have been handed to them when they collected photos taken on holiday in Bournemouth.
Here we see the "remembered" crocodile about to eat the Golliwog!
The leisure complex was completed and opened in 1937. It stood on the site of Bournemouth's first baths which opened in 1838,followed by a second baths/pool which opened in 1887
Notice that the building style is mirrored in or by the Pier Entrance building above.
Time Travel Artist Bournemouth Pier Approach v3.mp4Apologies but I have been unable to download the video in its original 720p format so we're stuck with this 360p version
Bournemouth & Boscombe Through Time! (Dorset).mp4Great Time Travel videos by the way. I think I preferred it in the 1940s!
I think we once went there but there was not much thereand we also had a naff experience going to Mudeford I recall (no surprise given that name!!)
The newly completed splendid bandstand in Bournemouth Lower Gardens constructed by Claude Barnes who passed away in 1948. The successful quotation for the job was £995.
I recall that the deckchairs that were provided for the audience opposite were stored in the cavernous room beneath the bandstand and they were ferried across the Bourne stream each morning using a wooden plank. Some more images HERE
Soap, Stamps, Cigarettes and Sweets (plus some other stuff!)
I have searched out a few other familiar items from the 50s/60s era which seem relevant.
I particularly like the offensive nature of the adverts for Lifeboy and B.O. if you look them up on Google they're pretty strong personal stuff insinuating that you'll not be able to keep a boyfriend/girlfriend if you stink of B.O.!!!
Good images!
Which soap did Nanna use?
I'm pretty sure Pop had some sort of translucent soap - carbolic? - No, it was Wright's Coal-Tar soap - a bright orange bar that seemed to attract grit! At home, we went through phases of Palmolive (green), Lux, Camay, Yardleys and even Knight's Castile!!!
Esso's tiger in your tank may have been a bit later, not sure, but what a brilliant advertising idea it was! Did you ever have a tiger tail in your early transport?
Great campaign but I never succumbed to the tail!! I had a few stickers on my Mini one of which was the BOAC 500 - a race held at Brands Hatch in the sixties!
I think you've mentioned Green Shield stamps.....in the late 60's we used to drive past garages (waste of petrol of no concern) until we found one giving quad stamps! They were worth about 0.005 of a penny each I believe! Five books of about 30 pages and you could get a mug or something!
I remember taking books of the stamps in to be exchanged for some much-needed household item. This may have been during the time of the 3-day week when I remember choosing wallpaper for our house in Braintree (all brown and orange swirls!) by candlelight in the shop!
Which reminds me, my dad used to smoke Embassy and collect the coupons (after Woodbines went out of his favour).....
...must look into that.... John Players was your mum and dad's smoke I believe.
Capstan Full-Strength was the king but my parents stuck to Players (untipped) - see above, top-left.
Then we tried Bristol, Craven 'A', Rothman's and our favourite eventually being Piccadilly Tipped.
I do remember us having a go at Consulate (as mentioned before) and later, when trying to look as cool as the Beatles, Kent (all white, including the tip).
Do you remember a shop near Bournemouth pier which sold Joysticks or Jossticks...they were a cigarette about 8" long??!! Also recall those cheap (French/Spanish?) petrol lighters and the long yellow wick rope ones with the flint wheel.
Yes!
My dad also had a Philips shaver. The one with two rotating heads. I think yours did too.
Yes, that's right.
Did Pop have a cut-throat razor with an ivory/cream plastic handle? I recall he had a safety razor and I remember my Dad (and me later) using one of two types of blades -the single-edged blade that fitted into a flip-top blade and handle arrangement and then the Gillette, double-edged blade that fitted into a head and all held together by a screw handle - I think. Also, they used badger bristle shaving brushes to generate the foam (before aerosols became available). Can't recall the shaving soap (Cussons Imperial Leather?) but Pop had a special mug/soap dish thingy with a handle.
How about some old sweets and drinks? - Nesquik chocolate drink, Opal Fruits ("Made to make your mouth water"), Refreshers, Robertson’s Golden Shred (with Golliwog badges and stickers), Fray Bentos Spam, Cidrex and Tizer. Wrigley’s Spearmint chewing gum, Smiths Crisps - with a blue twist-bag of salt (with regular ads around London Stations and Piccadilly Circus).
At my school we also had a bit of a fad on Chewing gum which had a card with it with different Beatles pictures...wish I'd kept those!
