recollections of a magical childhood
Do you remember the tree across the playing field with the section of horizontal trunk that you could easily climb/sit on...well you'll be pleased to know it's still there...base camp!
Yes, I remember that vividly, in fact, I was telling June about it quite recently. I remember sitting on that branch whittling our wooden knives (see earlier!)
Bournemouth Bus Station
One would imagine the bus station must have had at least one later partial rebuild after that photo as I can't imaginethey built all those office floors on top of the single-story entrance/exit bridge. Something to research perhaps?
I have just read the foreword and the tantalising introduction which seems to confirm that, unlike we expected, when we were "discussing" that photo of the station in its original guise, the new iteration was, indeed, just a redevelopment and expansion of the original. Apparently, it was planned from the outset so the underlying structure was built to be able to accommodate it when needed and when funds allowed. I'm looking forward to reading more....
Why didn't we ever indulge in iced buns that were, apparently, sold in the Bus Station's Panoramic café overlooking the Lower Gardens?
I'm not sure we even knew there was a cafe at the Bus Station. Fortes and Wimpy were our usual places for illicit nourishment.
Yes, you're right. I don't think we did know about the café.
In fact, having read a bit more of that book I was trying to think about how we did enter the bus station. Obviously, we could walk up Exeter Road but as we would, well sometimes at least, be coming through the gardens. Did we enter from the lower stairway nearest the gardens on Exeter Crescent?
Another point, in the book he describes where all the stands were around the periphery of the main open bus area. The stands were "lettered" and ran from A - M. Our buses were run from stand J. But before I checked where that was I tried to recall whereabouts we used to get our bus and I thought it was about 2/3rds of the way around, just where it curves and starts the straight bit back towards Exeter Road. I think I'd better do a drawing at this point!
I agree with you about the position of Stand J. I'm sure it was still on the curve just before the curb straightened out.
Finally, on that stand, according to the book, there were the routes; 16, 16A, 21, 22 and 27. But it also mentions two other routes I don't recall - 13 and 13A. Do you?
As regards to the routes, strangely route 13 is nowadays what was route 22 in our time. When we moved back here in 1992 the Wimborne bus (old Route 22) was designated route 132 and subsequently changed to 13 when Hants and Dorset were bought out by GoAhead. There's no longer a bus to Christchurch from Parley Cross (old route 16) or to Longham (old route 21). To add insult to injury, Yellow buses run a route 737 (numbered after the Ryan Air aircraft type, get it?) through Parley Cross to Hurn Airport (OK Bournemouth Airport if you must!) Can't seem to find a 1960s bus timetable to confirm any reference to Route 13 in our day.
As for Routes 13 & 13A I used the link you originally found and which is on Page 19 to take a look at a 1960 timetable (and I also checked an earlier one) which states:-
13 Bournemouth, Ringwood, Minstead, Lyndhurst, Southampton
13A Bournemouth, Ringwood, Burley, Lyndhurst, Southampton but, intriguingly
13B West Moors, Ferndown HERE
Interesting! When I was bus driving one of my regular routes was from Ringwood to Southampton via Burley which was then (in 2005) route 35 - a run I used to enjoy more than any other due to its scenery although, sometimes it was a double-decker which was tricky through Burley's S bends and low hanging tree branches. I notice in your 1960 timetable it was purely a Southampton area run. I also used to do the Bournemouth, Ferndown, West Moors run which is now covered by Yellow Buses (ouch!).
Proof?
Great sleuthing!!!
But, I couldn't see any sign stating "Stand J" so that bit in the book may be wrong? But the location is as I recalled so I'm not quite losing it!
Actually, later, when reviewing this page and the photo above, I see there are two buildings in the background. When you check against the top photo on this page you can see the church and the tall corresponding building. So, I now think that photo doesn't support our view as I reckon that the bus is only about halfway round at most. What do you think?
The church in the background is St Peter's which is pretty much exactly North East of the bus station. Now I've been trying to find a decent aerial view of the bus station to ascertain its orientation (see right).
Well, from that map image, I'd say that the bus is positioned about 2/3rds of the way round the horseshoe so the original prognosis was right!
"The rebuilding of Bournemouth bus station was progressing when this photograph was taken in the early summer of 1958. Bristol KSW6B KRU 972, at that time allocated to Parkstone depot, proceeds up the ramp having operated from Poole on route 4 (antecedent to today's m2). New in 1951, this bus was in service with Hants & Dorset until 1972; after the closure of Parkstone as an operational depot in September 1958 (it was the Company's Western Area engineering works for a further 19 years), KRU 972 was allocated to Poole depot until withdrawal. On the left, Royal Blue Bristol LL6B coach LTA 864 is departing for Portsmouth; this coach was in the Royal Blue fleet from May 1951 until January 1964".
You can see the same part of the building below, some 14 years later.
Hants & Dorset bus station burned down in about 1972 (even though it was mostly concrete)...apparently a tramp with a cigarette fell asleep in a coach underneath the station.
(Right) Quite a good evocative photo that looks good once clicked on. Notice all the period cars in the station and in the distance on the road. Nice MkIX Jag!
Yes, I can smell the distinctive warm diesel engine as soon as I look at the photo(s). Strangely, it wasn't so much just the smell of diesel fumes but it was accompanied by a general warm metal and upholstery sort of aroma....hard to describe! A much more agreeable smell than just black diesel smoke I think.
I always thought it was dead modern...I think I remember it being built in the late '50s??? It was never rebuilt and is still a bombsite car park.
(Right) another shot of the same location as the one above but from the opposite direction. Clearly from a later period (1959 vs 1969?). I don't recall there being trolleybus lines outside but, clearly, there were!
A Royal Blue exiting the station but with a route numberboard showing 21 to Wimborne. Would that be a replacement to the Hants & Dorset one that went through Parley?
Another coach exiting Exeter Road.
A VW Beetle in the Mobil petrol station, an MGB following the trolleybus and an MG Sprite parked up.
I think I do recall the trolleybuses passing the bus garage however, the coach leaving the bus station bearing route 21 for Wimborne is a bit of a novelty. If I recall correctly, route 21 went to Longham and, possibly the 21a to Hampreston. There must have been a problem that day.
(Left) New to Hants & Dorset in February 1954, LRU 69 was the third Bristol Lodekka to be delivered to the Company and carried a 58 seat body by Eastern Coach works that was built to low-height specification while having a normal centre gangway on both decks. By the time this photograph was taken at Bournemouth bus station in the early autumn of 1973 the front of LRU 69 had been modified, a shorter radiator grill has replaced the long grill originally fitted. When photographed, LRU 69 was parked facing Exeter Road in the layover area of Bournemouth bus station, having previously operated a school special journey; in 2018 the BH2 complex occupies the site of the former Bournemouth bus station
(Right) When new in February 1949, Bristol K6A HLJ 41 was delivered directly from Eastern Coach Works to London Transport, where it remained until March 1950 when it was received by its intended owner, Hants & Dorset. HLJ 41 is seen here on an autumn day in the early 1950s at the Southern National premises in Weymouth, awaiting departure time to work back to Bournemouth on route 11. The Hants & Dorset route 11 between Bournemouth and Weymouth was then a joint service with Southern National - the latter company used route number 36 for their journeys on the service. Carrying a 55 seat lowbridge body by Eastern Coach Works, HLJ 41 was in service with Hants & Dorset until September 1966.
Interesting to see the original foundation before it was modernised. I note none of the later Bristol buses was present and I expect the scattered bus shelter configuration createda nightmare for bus movements with passengers wandering randomly across the tarmac which is probably why they redesigned it to the horseshoe layout
An interesting shot. I don't think we visited Bournemouth at this time but I note that the main path through the gardens bends off to the right and across a bridge to access the road (Near to what I think was that strangely pointed shaped shoe shop -'Dolcis', I believe.
Yes, it was Dolcis!
Anyway, the path now runs straight up to the road. Such a shame the bus station has gone! Of course, all the Hants (Wilts) and Dorset buses are now based at Poole.
Bournemouth 1961.mp4After Buses - Trains!
We really enjoyed ourselves watching all the train and light engine movements at Bournemouth Central. We took quite a few photographs with the box camera and I used to have one or two from that time. Let me see if I can find them.......
Blimey, they were in the back of the first book I looked at!
I decided to see if the two locos we photographed at Bournemouth Central with our box camera had survived. 34007 Wadebridge did and there is a website dedicated to it - HERE
35021 was not so fortunate and it was scrapped at Birds in Swansea in 1965!
(Above) Trainspotters on Platform 1 of Bournemouth Central - see the enlargement! Link to the photo is here Could this be us? The source states the photo was taken on the 6th June (1960) - a month when it is unlikely we would be there but it could be wrong and in fact be July. In which case I'd say, as it especially looks like you, it's very possible! The sandals are right, and the shorts and it looks like they might be Nanna-knitted jumpers!
Not sure if that was us on Bournemouth Station as 7 or 8-year olds?? Maybe.
In 1960 we would have been 10 & 11 wouldn't we and they look younger? Bugger.
I like this photo of the M7 at Bournemouth Central....poor old dirty workhorse!
Half a coconut hanging outside the kitchen window for the blue tits.
Oh yes! Hanging by a bit of wire poked through a drilled hole.
The fishing nets made of a wire loop forced into a bamboo cane that always came adrift after enthusiastic use!
Pop's "War stories" - we knew them all so well that, when he was struggling to remember a certain part of the tale, we would help him out! I used to be able to remember lots of them but I think they have all gone except for... His Sergeant Major - "Daddy Crofter" - who would bite his little finger when talking to you. Breaking in a horse for the Major's daughter - part of the process was to put a hot potato under its tail which would clamp down and hold it there and then the horse would bolt! ..over to you for more!
Pop-Pop's Regimental Plaque showing where he had been stationed. Quetta is now in Pakistan (not sure if it was then - just part of the British Empire!) - see here
This photo is of the cantonment (military quarters) at Quetta in 1889 - which is from the Wikipedia link above. Part of the description states "...Although the city was occupied briefly in 1839 by the British during the First Afghan War, it was not until 1876 that Quetta became part of the British Empire, when Robert Sandeman was made the political leader for Balochistan. The arrival of British troops led to the establishment of road and rail links and the introduction of schools, mainly for strategic purposes....." Pop and Nanna were there much later, from 1920 -23. Your Dad was born there in 1922! Lots of photos and information here
Pop cleaning out the fish pond. Putting the carp into buckets and then pulling out all the algae. Then, once all put back and the pond re-filled, the hose pipe would be left dribbling water to compensate for the amount that was evaporating in the Summer heat.
Blow-up beach balls and also just remembered an earlier version of the lilos made of dark green canvas over a rubber structure. Walking back to the hut with ice cream cones with all the melted ice cream running down your arms! Sand in the sandwiches!! Mmmm... crunchy!
Cars
Mr Mitchell's limousine rarely saw the light of day!
When you came to my house, I suppose we were about 16 or 17, you borrowed John’s Cortina to show me what it could do...we almost went to Brighton trying to find a fast dual carriageway to speed down...must have used half his petrol... I don't think he was pleased.
But very generous and trusting of him to let us go out in it in the first place!
Lastly engines for scrap at Eastleigh... a bit like the day we were there without the snow.
Regarding Bournemouth Station...I've always thought it strange that as I recall it, over a summer period we were there almost daily but rarely seemed to recognise a repetition of train movements... apart from the Bournemouth Belle leaving at around 4 pm.
Times varied but full details of the Bournemouth Belle here. Perhaps it's just my memory not being clear enough. Did we really go that often? I thought it was quite patchy but, again, probably brain fade!
Also, once we made a trip to Bournemouth West and back in old red coaches behind an M7 tank...(may have been the day we cabbed it.) Another trip was to Broadstone Junction which was on the Somerset and Dorset Joint railway (and the start of the line to Wimborne...West Moors et al although we didn't realise it.) It was rather disappointing if I recall...hardly any trains about.
I certainly don't remember going in the M7 cab - more's the pity but I do remember going to Bournemouth West (disappointingly uninteresting after Bournemouth Central) and Broadstone which was very quiet and "rural".
I think we went to Matchams Stock Car Racing once...seem to recall coming back on the back platform of a Hants & Dorset bus in our wellies bouncing along Matchams Lane...don't remember the circumstances though. Did we walk there?
Yes, we did. It's about 5 miles from the Bungalow.
I have since found a Pathe News video of the place in 1958 (were we there?) which is a good reminder of what it was like and the "stunt driver section" at the end is particularly funny and "of its time"!
Girl Stunt Driver Aka Stock Car Race (1958).mp4The spectators at Matchams Stadium seem to have had only minimal protection from flying debris in the 50s! The spectators apparently turned up in their Sunday best outfits. The last time Helen and I went there we came home covered in smut and grime. Curiously, the removal of boot lids also seems to have been deemed important.
(Left) a screengrab of the stock car driver in the video (see link above), Ellis Daw, eventually formed Dartmoor Zoological Park which formed the basis of the film "We Bought a Zoo" with Matt Damon! See (Right) and HERE
Talking of Zoos!
I often have a vague recollection of a Zoo at Ferndown being mentioned - possibly by my mum. It is quite possibly my imagination but I can envisage being push chaired up New Road in that direction with a zoo as the objective. If true I would have been only about 3 or 4 years old.
Do you have any recollections to this end? Links found - Here and Here Perhaps it brings anything to mind with you?
I also have a vague recollection of going there but only once. In my mind, we walked or were push-chaired from Mimosa up the hill to where the Porsche dealership is/was where we branched off to the left. That's my recollection but I will now check the former location from the links you sent to see how far off my memory is!
Flipping heck!!! That's Glenmoor Road which leads directly to Ringwood Road where we would have turned right and it would have been on our left! I can't believe I have that clarity of memory.
I had read on Facebook others confirming it - "...the small zoo set up at Ferndown during the 1950s where later the Azalea cafe was....."
Also found this link to an old map of the Ferndown/West Parley area which has a slider so you can overlay the current road system over the Victorian version. Church Lane present long before New Road etc. and Stocks Farm! Couldn't find an exact marker for the Zoo though.
Blimey! That's a great find. Having checked the location of Mimosa, when you slide back there looks to be a dwelling there (identified with the number 41). Could that be the old "mud" (cob) house next door? (see Page 5)
I hadn't thought of that but the plot (41) is in about the right position for the Cob Cottage. Also, the field between plot 41 and Stocks Farm is spot on for the current playing field.
Regarding Ferndown Zoo where the article mentions a small shop which became a garage, in the last couple of years that has become a Marks and Spencer Food shop.
Also quite fascinating is to see where Hurn Airport fits in and where Hurn Station was even before Avon Causeway became established as a through road.
Nice to uncover a bit of local history!
I can now see how Parley Lane was re-routed to allow for a longer runway. I thought, when I visited you the last 2 times, "I don't remember it being like this"!
Number 41 is definitely it! Shame we can't trace the history of that building as there must have been an index to that map. Over to you Sherlock!
As far as I can ascertain the numbers (i.e 41) are Ordnance Survey Bench Marks denoting a nominal height above sea level; though I can't seem to find whether that is in feet or metric. (E.g, The number at The Horns Inn is 101 which is at the top of the hill before dropping down again to Longham 48.
The runway at Hurn was extended in 1996 to permit larger aircraft to land/take-off and it was celebrated by Concorde landing at that year's airshow which we went to and watched. The road was re-routed for that extension - can't remember exactly when you first came down to see us? Jumbo jets can also use the airport nowadays hence two or three were able to be stored here during the last 'lockdown' though there aren't any regular flights and never have been.
I do remember trudging along Christchurch Road with Nanna to watch the aircraft when we were about 10 years old - that would have been 1959/60. As far as I recall the only barrier around the airfield at that time was a ditch and low barbed wire fence.
You are right. It is elevation and (having used this website) it is in feet above sea level. Well done!
Alda and I came to see you in August 1996 so, it must have just been done earlier that year?
I agree I recall us being taken down to the airport and remember a high hedge on the right-hand side of the road and a barbed-wire fence on the airport side! See Page 5 for more information and photos.
Christmas! Helen & Flo always gave me a box of Newberry fruits....the only sweets I've ever loathed!!
I also seem to remember presents of fruit or a ball of string! They seemed, at the time, to be the Christmas relations from Hell! Florrie with bad teeth and Helen who loved to sing falsetto!
Battery Ford Zodiac (Dark Green) ...Remote wire controlled Vauxhall Wyvern (Cream/Red)
Well remembered! The image of those came thudding back when I first read your email.
I remember old batteries like these (left). I recall the metal connector in that position but can’t recall what we used them for.
Note the company name was originally Ever Ready (two words) whereas now it's called Eveready!
That particular battery has its top terminal missing (see complete version right) and it seems they were specially designed for cycle headlamps.
Originally those lamps had a screw knob on the top to turn them on (see right).
Oh, that must be a bit like the one we have got a photo of almost at the bottom of this page and (now) left in this panel?!
How about Dinky and Corgi cars? Jewelled headlights, front wheels that steered by applying pressure on the working suspension! Ecurie Ecosse racing car transporter.
Cars on the living room carpet with the sort of roadway pattern (see Page 11).....oh and a spot of theft from W H Smith...Bentleys with jewelled headlights and steering (risky!)
We shoplifted quite a lot – quite bold of us but imagine the consequences had we been caught!
Make and model of cars on left of the road; Morris Traveller (1950s without split windscreen), Austin A 30 (1950s), Humber (Super) Snipe? plus Ford Thames 400E van travelling away. On the right of the road; Jowett Javelin (1950s), Vauxhall Victor (or Cresta), Hillman Minx,...not sure about the two limousines(!) then another Morris Traveller and an Austin A55.
It looks like a Ford Consul, in the distance parked on the left. As for the two limousines on the right, I can't identify the first but the second is a Roller with, possibly a Ford V8 Pilot beyond it. And it could be another Rolls Royce in the distance driving towards us from Gervis Place.
First on the left is a Morris 8 E Series (circa 1947), I can't identify the 2nd one (I was thinking Austin Hereford but that doesn't match). 3rd is, I think, a 1939 Hillman Minx. I don't think the next one is an Austin 7 but it is an obvious one but I can't get it! I think it's an Austin A40 Somerset in front and then, not a DKW (but good guess) but an Austin A90 Atlantic convertible! On the right is, I believe, an Austin A70 then, I agree, a Chevrolet Fleetline! Sadly many of the shops along there are empty now.
I can still feel the warm summer air in the 1966 Bournemouth Square photo. Oh, and Smith's is still there...yay!
Cork gun shooting game?
Nope!
Rubber Soul Album?
Of course!!
Charades...is that how you spell it?
Yes - every Christmas and sing-alongs on the piano at your house (front room?). My Mum's favourite - "I'm only a bird in a gilded cage". Your Mum played well as I recall. When we were a bit older I remember you, me Marion and Linda "escaping" to a local pub (I thought it was up the top of Rose Walk and then turn left and along there somewhere) and sitting outside smoking with the snow falling.
Also, the questionable decision to hand out a present at your house to my Dad from my Mum who had recently died! Talk about emotionally charged.
Yes, I remember all of that......and especially the last moment!
Do you remember the feeling of anticipation of opening the red Tri-ang locomotive or rolling stock boxes?
Indeed, for us, it was the main reason for the Christmas tree!!
Grey armchairs in your front room + about 30 people!.... Back room with dado rail and very 50's wallpaper (yellowish?)
Yes, the lounge had a sort of grey fleck 3-piece suite and a coffee table with tapered black turned legs with swivel feet (very sixties!) - See Page 14!!
Burnt baked beans..your mum's special treat! Sparrow hawk in your back garden.
I originally said I don't remember the beans - probably traumatised! But, come to think about it, I must do, as I make them myself now!
Lean-to full of stuff but very useful.
Sure did which resulted in plenty of grazed knees!
Bike horns - I remember a flashy spacecraft-inspired buzzer that you could flip open to change the (Every Ready) battery when it went flat! I've been looking for some time to try and find a photo and have now succeeded. Do you recall these?
[AL] I found a better photo (and a video for goodness sake!) of the elusive bicycle horn that I had. I now see it was called a Pifco Super Sonic! Of course – so 50s/60s
Which then led me on to remember dynamo-driven lights and then I stumbled into "Cyclometers" (but I think these came later when I had my racing bike!) and their successors, the Ever Ready cycle lamps.
Pifco Super Sonic Bicycle Horn 1960-s Beyond Repair(1).mp4
A bit later, Colonel Bogey car horns specifically on Minis if I recall correctly.
I did have some on my black Mini Cooper S.
Finally, a couple more - sticking lollipop sticks in our bike spokes to make them sound like a motorbike but I can't work out what was rubbing on what?
Motorbike noises on our bikes, yes! Even a bit of folded cardboard did the trick - stuck through the elongated hole where the brake blocks were bolted. It flicked against the spokes making the sound (but didn't help with speed though! As neither did the bottle dynamo which ran along the tyre sidewall!)
Two of us sleeping in your bed head to foot with big thick green eiderdown.
Yes and we slept in Nanna & Pop's double bed whilst they slept on the "Put-u-Up" that opened up with a screech of twanging springs! (see Page 20) Presumably, because we had to go to bed (8 or 9 o'clock?) before they were ready to.
It was a long way down from that double bed. They also had a blue/grey flying saucer-shaped bed warmer which I think had a light bulb inside as a heat source.
God yes - it was in a sort of grey Hammerite finish. I'd completely forgotten that (see Page 16).
Routemaster buses...still around!!!
I thought they'd been withdrawn?
Well, they're not still on service in London but are in use elsewhere..
I went to a "retro" race meeting at the weekend where I came upon an "old" Routemaster bus. Actually, unusually, it was an RML rather than the more usual RM. To quote Wikipedia - "London Transport took delivery of 2,123 RMs and 524 RMLs. The RML was a standard RM with a distinctive and seemingly out of place half-window section added in the middle giving eight extra seats. This was not a dramatic change, as it took advantage of the modular design approach of the Routemaster that would be copied by other manufacturers. The RML code was originally used to identify the "Routemaster Leyland", with what became the RML originally designated the ER (Extended Routemaster). The RM and RML had an area beneath the rear staircase where, when not collecting fares, the conductor could stand without obstructing boarding/alighting passengers. Seating was provided for 64 passengers on RMs (72 on RMLs)."
Had you been there you would have observed an old bloke (me) looking wistfully at the rear access platform (which on this one was boarded up to prevent oiks clambering on when the bus was unattended) recalling how it felt to grab the white ribbed plastic wound handles. Said bloke (me again) then grasped the one in front of him and his eyes glazed over whilst he recalled all those times he'd pulled himself onto the Routemaster on its 257 route from school to home and vice versa. The feeling was just as I had remembered. Then, looking in the cab, I recalled the driver pulling on the big handbrake lever which had a release mechanism like levers in a signal box!. Later on, I actually got a chance to take a trip around the circuit on the bus and was able to relive, through the noise and visuals, all those old journeys. I had forgotten that the route details and timetable were displayed under the stairs above the luggage compartment and the little "Used Tickets" box on the rear panel near the exit. Probably not been on one in for 52 years!
I appreciate your memories of the Routemaster journeys to school etc. Down in poverty-stricken Surrey, we were still bouncing about in RTs on our way to and from school on the 65 route. If we ran down to the next bus stop from the school stop we could save a tanner for sweets or (the more coveted) crackling from the chip shop. There were no Routemasters on my school run. In fact, they didn't appear until 1962 replacing the Trolleybuses on 601, 602 and 603 routes. I do remember travelling on them occasionally and being amazed at the 'softer' ride they gave.
In those days I believe both RTs and RMs had pre-engage gearboxes. I drove one or two older buses down here with pre-engage gearboxes which took a bit of getting used to. After pulling away in first gear, you moved the lever to second but it didn't actually change gear until you pressed the clutch. Then you did the same for third etc. It meant you had to think ahead to know which gear you'd need next.......Goodness knows why someone thought that would be a useful feature! They also had a timed indicator knob/switch which cancelled the direction indicators after about 20 seconds; a particularly inconvenient feature if you were waiting in traffic to turn at a junction because they kept needing to be turned back on.
That's so weird that you mentioned the pre-engage/pre-selector gearbox of the RT. I was going to refer to it in my "next email but you beat me to it! Great minds and all that! I remember the gear lever sticking out of a dull alloy casing on the steering column. I thought it had an ivory-coloured gear knob but not according to this video but you do get to see the pre-selection in action! Also covered in a BFI video on the RT on Page 12
Just spotted the effort he had to make pulling out of the garage....no power steering! The old one I drove was a real effort to steer. I think we tend to forget how much effort it takes nowadays without it. Helen had a Peugeot 106 without power steering and, although it was a small car, it was surprisingly hard work steering it especially around multi-story car parks. I bet that small greenhouse-like cab got a bit sweaty too....but at least you didn't have to worry about what the passengers were doing behind you.
(back to the original exchange).....................
Also, timing how long it took to smoke a Rothman's cigarette (about 20 mins in our early smoking days I think)...in the front room at Dale View Avenue. Which, of course, reminds me of learning the words to 'I remember Yoooohoou.' by Frank Ifield which we played over and over again at about 8.00 in the morning to learn the words.....'you're the one who made my dreams come true....a few .....ooh I've forgotten how long ago, damn! Pre-Beatle days I reckon...we had no taste then. The Beverley Sisters...The Bachelors (weird set of blokes) and bloomin' Bruce Forsythe on The London Palladium...didn't expect he'd still be going 50 years later, did we? Goodness, we must have been desperate for music! Funnily enough we never really got into Elvis, did we? Too much of the quivering heebie-jeebies in his voice for my liking!
Yes, it was a bit strange that we didn't rate Elvis. Maybe a bit "showy" for us reserved English blokes?
Also seem to remember playing two reel to reel tapes together to get an echo effect.....we always wanted an echo machine with loop tape..seems so primitive now. Interestingly, it usually slowly got more and more out of sync as the song went on! High tech, eh?
That was known as phasing and I could do it at will with my trusty Ferguson because it allowed you to record over another track without wiping it. The only problem was that for some (mechanical) reason it always gradually went out of sync and hence the phasing effect. Listen to the recording below which I made at the time. You'll hear that I edited the track so the section from the solo to the end is repeated and double-tracked which is where the phasing effect can be heard (at 02:32 onwards)...
We got quite proficient with the old Ferguson 4-track recorder by the end. These photos are not of the one I had as that went long ago!
Just some more good shots of Bournemouth Central to bring back memories.
Jumping on the rubber strip at Parley Cross traffic lights to make them turn to red.....you wouldn't find enough pause in the traffic nowadays!
Blimey - you're right there!
Waking up to the sound of the airport rush hour....two camp beds in the front bedroom.
Yep - I've mentioned the great noise of the Lotus Elan (Page 5). What about the dark green sofa beds in the front lounge which we used once we weren't using it as a model railway room!
Easter eggs......
Cadbury's
The Topper and Beezer to read lying on the floor on Thursdays?....
Yes and Victor? (see Page 19)
Football pitch on playing field near Nanna's.....sometimes with cowpats for the players to dodge......
...and huge molehills (see Page 13)
Model Shop at Westbourne...long walk from Bournemouth.....
Bugger - can't remember that!
I'm trying to remember the early days when we were first introduced...about 7 or 8 years old (1957 ish)...was it Dale View Avenue?....
Given that we have always been related it was probably earlier!!
There are several photos that have been added to this website subsequently that show we were about 3 and 4 when we started playing together but suspect we were introduced from the outset!
Grey Tri-ang track, maroon coaches, Princess Elizabeth....
My first electric train set but may have had a clockwork one before it. Note un-coupler with red handle and distorted coach roofs!
Trips out with your Mum. In the early days didn't we once get a canal boat from the Pool of Venice to London Zoo for a day out? When we were about 11 or 12 didn't we catch a DMU from King's Cross to Finsbury Park just to go through the tunnel?.....also don't think we thought much of Paddington and its GW engines...they all looked the same. Why were GW fans so keen on their engines?
Yes, we did. We went around all the London stations. I quite liked Paddington and can remember Kings and Castles pulling out of the station. I think we preferred them to LMS!
Can you picture the layout of our model railway? Two boards - one 6' x 4' and one 8' x 4' linked by two bridging boards. Each of us had control of our own sections and independence was achieved by cutting the track with a hack-saw. We had to judge the amount of voltage to apply so that the speed transition across the gap was seamless! (see Page 13)
We each had a siding on the bridging board nearest the fire and otherwise, the stations were almost identical two-platform, four-track setups with the ability to run round by venturing out onto the mainline! What we could have done with the current DCC controllers!
Indeed....though Triang was wary of making 6 wheelers I reckon - HERE. For some reason it brings to mind Snaggle Puss', "Heavens to Murgatroyd!"
How about helping the conductor to turn the trolleybuses on the turntable at Christchurch?
I remember turning the trolleybuses in Christchurch.....health and safety issue nowadays! The turntable area has been built over now.
See right & below
Just stumbled on this...I think I told you it wasn't there anymore....well I'll have to have another look next time I'm in Christchurch! And, how about this
Bournemouth Trolley buses 1960s.mp4