CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Members recalling their childhood memories took us back in time for our March meeting.. The stories ranged from the war – time, air raid shelters, ration books & the value of the sweet coupons, searchlights & the food that was available, to the games children played. We were told of children, in one case a 14yr old boy, being in charge of a horse & loaded cart that was being taken through town, and having time off school to help gather the wheat & potato harvests (no health & safety in those days)
Mentioned also was the discipline that was the rule rather than the exception, which in retrospect was usually fair & certainly did no harm.
The games we played, even to sliding down a pigsty roof & the bicycle rides & ball games.
The first TV programmes for kids such as the Wooden Tops & Bill & Ben. The radio was important not only for the news but for programmes such Uncle Mack & his way of ending his programme with ‘goodnight children –everywhere’. The Billy Cotton Band show & Workers Playtime with its catchy songs, and Dick Barton –special agent.
Holidays by the seaside, leisure time, liquorice straws & gob stoppers, fruit picking, school time, & friends to share adventures with – all had a mention.
From this evening the memories proved that family, friends, freedom & fearlessness was the order of the day, with common sense prevailing even to learning some of life’s lessons the hard way.
One could wonder today if our children are missing out on such a lot …..
[Barbara Holmes]