Reminiscing

[BenWickes]

Just reading some posters throwing their toys out of their pram and I got thinking of my school days.
Satchels! I had one when I started school circa 1977. God knows why. We lived literally opposite the school. When did they go out of fashion? Maybe I was the only one still with one.
The rag and bone man walking around with a crate on wheels. Tramlines still visible on the cobbled streets long after they stopped running. White dog sh*t as has been mentioned on other threads
Don't know why but I used to mess with the black tar melted in the sun on the cobbles. Used to be quite common then.
We lived in a shop and were fortunate to own one of those old personal video camera's. The one's where you had to carry the battery pack on your shoulder separate from the camera. Got some cracking video of the time. Fashion, hairstyles, cars. Noticeable how less busy the roads were back then.
Some classic banter between us Burnley fans and Rovers fans on video of the time too. We were both pretty much on a more level footing at the time. Think we must have beaten them just prior to the video as we'd been ribbing them. Must have been the 2-1 win at theirs in April 1979 as my Dad was proper winding them up. All caught for posterity.

[Longsider]

Why is dog shxt white?

[Burnley1989]

You do still see it now and again

My Dad used to tell me it was Poodle Sh1t

[mdd2]

Oh yes the coal tar and sometimes it would bubble due to water. Burst it and there was a drop or two of water, at other times you would end up with bits of tar on your fingers, shirt, legs or trousers to await a maternal bollocking when you got home.
Anyone collect cigarette packets thrown in the streets?
I used to collect car numbers, Gawd knows why, would stand on Briercliffe Road writing numbers down seem to remember registration numbers were
a letter and then HG or CW followed by 1- 3 numbers. The numbers to have were either 1 or 999 and I think Burnley's mayoral car was CW1.
Marbles and knocking them out of a circle against a wall with a metal cyclinder thing which must have come form some piece of engineering. And no back rats. Couldn't claim any marbles that were knocked out of the ring if the metal his the wall and fell back onto the marbles. Cannot remeber what we called that chunk of metal.
And then conkers and my mate bursting into tears as his 960 conker was smashed to bits by another one, and the shout for more goes "strings" if the strings of the conkers got entwined
These reminisces are of course from the 1950's

[Eloise Laws]

My Dad used to tell me it was Poodle Sh1t[

I was told exactly the same by my dad.....maybe it’s because Poodles were considered ‘posh dogs’

[JohnMac]

Cigarette/Tea cards were fantastic with all the different collections and Albums.

We also lined them up against a kerb/wall and flicked cards at them in turn. Last card knocked down and that person won them all. There were very few cars about during the day because they were parked up at the factories and Mother's used feet, prams and busses. Did Taxi's even exist back then outside the big Cities?

[mdd2]

And your vintage was from when JM?
I now remember playing cigarette packets and flicking them in front and trying to land yours on theirs to win.
Buses ran every 10 minutes in those days and were open at the back and so bloody cold in winter.
Also smoking allowed upstairs with tobacco tar stuck on the roof and signs that said "No spitting"
Not allowed on a bus with fish and chips due to the long lasting stink afterwards.
On reflection I do not think I recall taxis being around but I know you could book one, but cannot recall seeing any when I was car spotting.
My friends Grandad had a Ford Prefect GTE 357 and that was something in those days. On the weekdays he visited their home for lunch we would get a ride back to junior school afterwards. Was less than a mile but we felt like a million dollars

[Chester Perry]

Cannot remember what we called that chunk of metal.

in the 70's we called it a Frenchie

[Herts Clarets]

The numbers to have were either 1 or 999 and I think Burnley's mayoral car was CW1.

I think it was (maybe still is) HG 1. I remember when I lived in Burnley there was uproar when they tried to sell it, contacting Hugh Grant I believe to try and sell it to him....

[mdd2]

I think we called the chunk of metal we threw at the marbles a nugget

[Silkyskills1]

And your vintage was from when JM?
I now remember playing cigarette packets and flicking them in front and trying to land yours on theirs to win.
Buses ran every 10 minutes in those days and were open at the back and so bloody cold in winter.
Also smoking allowed upstairs with tobacco tar stuck on the roof and signs that said "No spitting"
Not allowed on a bus with fish and chips due to the long lasting stink afterwards.
On reflection I do not think I recall taxis being around but I know you could book one, but cannot recall seeing any when I was car spotting.
My friends Grandad had a Ford Prefect GTE 357 and that was something in those days. On the weekdays he visited their home for lunch we would get a ride back to junior school afterwards. Was less than a mile but we felt like a million dollars

Some signs inside the bus said 'Spitting Prohibited' which to a youngster like me needed explaining.

[ClaretDiver]

I think we called the chunk of metal we threw at the marbles a nugget

Yup that's what we called it! (or a bobber but that might have been something else, maybe the bigger marble you used when you won 5 off your opponent??)

[Bosscat]

Buses ran every 10 minutes in those days and were open at the back and so bloody cold in winter.
Also smoking allowed upstairs with tobacco tar stuck on the roof and signs that said "No spitting"
Not allowed on a bus with fish and chips due to the long lasting stink afterwards.

There was a young man called Wheeling
Went by bus from Harrow to Ealing
It said on the door
"Don't Spit on the Floor"
So he carefully spat on the ceiling

[Longsider]

Yup that's what we called it! (or a bobber but that might have been something else, maybe the bigger marble you used when you won 5 off your opponent??)

Pretty sure big marbles were called dobbers.

[BennyD]

Oh yes the coal tar and sometimes it would bubble due to water. Burst it and there was a drop or two of water, at other times you would end up with bits of tar on your fingers, shirt, legs or trousers to await a maternal bollocking when you got home.
Anyone collect cigarette packets thrown in the streets?
I used to collect car numbers, Gawd knows why, would stand on Briercliffe Road writing numbers down seem to remember registration numbers were
a letter and then HG or CW followed by 1- 3 numbers. The numbers to have were either 1 or 999 and I think Burnley's mayoral car was CW1.
Marbles and knocking them out of a circle against a wall with a metal cyclinder thing which must have come form some piece of engineering. And no back rats. Couldn't claim any marbles that were knocked out of the ring if the metal his the wall and fell back onto the marbles. Cannot remeber what we called that chunk of metal.
And then conkers and my mate bursting into tears as his 960 conker was smashed to bits by another one, and the shout for more goes "strings" if the strings of the conkers got entwined
These reminisces are of course from the 1950's

Fwiw, the Mayoral car was HG1.

[ElectroClaret]

We used to jump off those open-back buses before they stopped. Quite a few of us came to grief as we used to jump as it was going faster and faster.

Can barely get on a bus these days.

[ClaretDiver]

Pretty sure big marbles were called dobbers.

That's it....

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Buses ran every 10 minutes in those days and were open at the back and so bloody cold in winter.
Also smoking allowed upstairs with tobacco tar stuck on the roof and signs that said "No spitting"
Not allowed on a bus with fish and chips due to the long lasting stink afterwards.

I knew that you had a much better childhood than I did!! We couldn't afford to go on buses, I used to walk everywhere!
You obviously could afford fish and chips which you couldn't take on to the bus, however, I never had that problem because not only could we not afford to go on the bus there was no chance of being able to afford fish and chips.
Living in Oswaldtwistle we used to live in envy of those rich people in Burnleyand Blackburn.

[No Ney Never]

'Around our end' it was called an Iron Bobber.

[joey13]

Jumpers for goalposts

[Gordaleman]

Oh yes the coal tar and sometimes it would bubble due to water. Burst it and there was a drop or two of water, at other times you would end up with bits of tar on your fingers, shirt, legs or trousers to await a maternal bollocking when you got home.
Anyone collect cigarette packets thrown in the streets?
I used to collect car numbers, Gawd knows why, would stand on Briercliffe Road writing numbers down seem to remember registration numbers were
a letter and then HG or CW followed by 1- 3 numbers. The numbers to have were either 1 or 999 and I think Burnley's mayoral car was CW1.
Marbles and knocking them out of a circle against a wall with a metal cyclinder thing which must have come form some piece of engineering. And no back rats. Couldn't claim any marbles that were knocked out of the ring if the metal his the wall and fell back onto the marbles. Cannot remeber what we called that chunk of metal.
And then conkers and my mate bursting into tears as his 960 conker was smashed to bits by another one, and the shout for more goes "strings" if the strings of the conkers got entwined
These reminisces are of course from the 1950's

I was brought up on Briercliffe Road, opposite St Andrews church. Maybe you were someone I knew because we did all the things you mention. The one that stands out was the marble thing. We used to sneak into Bank Hall pit and nick what I believe are called 'Ball races' off the tip there. (We regularly got chased out by the 'Watchman'.) The 'Ball races' had steel ball bearings in them and breaking them open was very, very difficult but they made great marbles.

[BenWickes]

Jumpers for goalposts

Had many an impromptu match in the park in the early 80's. Cobble together 22 lads aged anywhere from 9 - 19 and a number were complete strangers. Jumpers for goalposts. No holds barred tackles at times but made some friends from those games.

[spadesclaret]

There was a young man called Wheeling
Went by bus from Harrow to Ealing
It said on the door
"Don't Spit on the Floor"
So he carefully spat on the ceiling

My favourite limerick but this is how I have always known it -

There was a young man from Darjeeling
Who boarded a bus bound for Ealing
It said on the door
Do not spit on the floor
So he lay down and spat on the ceiling

I think mine scans better than yours

[Bosscat]

My favourite limerick but this is how I have always known it -

There was a young man from Darjeeling
Who boarded a bus bound for Ealing
It said on the door
Do not spit on the floor
So he lay down and spat on the ceiling

I think mine scans better than yours

That was the one I know too but changed it so couldn't be accused of Racism

There are some precious types on here, who like to jump on that bandwagon

[Rowls]

That was the one I know too but changed it so couldn't be accused of Racism

There are some precious types on here, who like to jump on that bandwagon

I find that highly offensive. The accusation that some on here are "precious" is just ... scandalous.

Sincerely

Outraged of Tunbridge Wells.

[Bosscat]

I was brought up on Briercliffe Road, opposite St Andrews church. Maybe you were someone I knew because we did all the things you mention. The one that stands out was the marble thing. We used to sneak into Bank Hall pit and nick what I believe are called 'Ball races' off the tip there. (We regularly got chased out by the 'Watchman'.) The 'Ball races' had steel ball bearings in them and breaking them open was very, very difficult but they made great marbles.

My Dad used to bring home from work ball bearings that we used to use as marbles too (he worked in a Quarry when I was in Primary School and got them from a m8 who worked in the maintainance department) they were ace and hugely prized at school

[Gordaleman]

My Dad used to bring home from work ball bearings that we used to use as marbles too (he worked in a Quarry when I was in Primary School and got them from a m8 who worked in the maintainance department) they were ace and hugely prized at school

The ball races we used to get were about 7" across and we used to throw them at the ground to try and break the casing. It took ages. I remenber one occasion when one of the 'Races' bounced back right over my head and went through a neighbours window. He was less than pleased, I can tell you.

Anyone remember Veget bread? So far as I know, it was no different to any other sliced bread at the time, but we had a song about it.

Don't eat Veget bread, it makes you s**t like lead.
No bloody wonder, you fart like thunder, don't eat Veget bread.

[mdd2]

I knew that you had a much better childhood than I did!! We couldn't afford to go on buses, I used to walk everywhere!
You obviously could afford and chips which you couldn't take on to the , however, I never had that problem because not only could we not afford to go on the there was no chance of being able to afford and chips.
Living in Oswaldtwistle we used to live in envy of those rich people in Burnleyand Blackburn.

Ash my first recollection of fish and chips was a fish was 6pence (2.5d today) and chips 3d (1.25p today) so that would be the late 40's maybe early 50's
So a meal for under 4p in todays coinage. All hell broke out when the price went up to 7d and 4d

[Duffer_]

Eeee...reminiscing...it aint what it used to be.

[Cirrus_Minor]

I remember sitting on my dads, uncles, and aunties knee as a small child when they were smoking and they would blow smoke into my face. I used to also walk about 2 miles to school and back on my own at the age of 6.

[FactualFrank]

Yup that's what we called it! (or a bobber but that might have been something else, maybe the bigger marble you used when you won 5 off your opponent??)

I think the larger marble was a Dobber. At least I think it was in the 90s.

Edit: Just seen it mentioned further up - nice to know my memory is all well and good.

[todclaret]

One for fellow Todmordians: Astin's pies....

[conyoviejo]

We used to catch the train from Nelson to Burnley every home match and never paid and just ran through the open doors at Burnley. This went on for quite a while until some wag decided to shut the doors at Burnley and caught us all without tickets..

[cbx750]

One for fellow Todmordians: Astin's pies....

King's meat pies weren't bad also.

[JohnMac]

And your vintage was from when JM?
I now remember playing cigarette packets and flicking them in front and trying to land yours on theirs to win.

Born 1955 and yep, remember the alternate card game. Also a marbler and remember there being various games including digging a hole in the dirt to flick them into, x marbles each and last one in won. Singles, Two's, Fours, Coloureds, Ironies

[chorleyhere]

Anyone else remember my favourite cakes called 'Japs"?
Oddies used to make them and very few places still do . The best 11/10 come now from Bothams of Whitby, who also do a nice line in Lemon buns. They deliver by post. Haps and buns both delicious.

[Dazzler]

I must have been about 5 or 6 years old when I sneaked off on my tricycle to play with others on fulledge rec.
Can't recall how it happened exactly but i ended up face down in a large pool of melted tar.
That didn't bother me too much,it was the 3/4 hours of agony in the bath being scrubbed with vim from head to toe.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

I went to a rugby playing school and we had a rugby table top game to pass the time.
Players took opposite ends of the table. Flicked a matchbox the length of the table. If it finished with any portion over the edge of the table it was a try. For tight calls this was confirmed by sliding a ruler along edge of the table. If the matchbox moved the try was given. For the conversion the lad at that end would stand with his two forefingers on the desktop and his thumbs touching, to make a ‘H’, rigid arms and the matchbox had to be flicked from the halfway line over the ‘H’. Many bored hours playing this.

Another was draw two random lines, one inside the other. Inside these two lines draw random islands. Start and finish line anywhere on the circuit. Place a pencil point on the start line with your finger on top and push it. This was a flick and not a slide(cheating). Your next go was from where your previous pencil line ended.

My Dad had a cricket game with hexagonal tubes, you could play the same with dice, one for the bowler and one for the batter. The bowler rolled and dependent on his outcome,(wicket, dot ballx2), runs, byes) the batter might get a roll, (1,2,4,6,RunOut,one short). We would bowl 2 overs at a time and swap or it could get boring. Set a winning score or wickets.

[mikeS]

Ben - have you a Youtube channel with your old videos of BUrnley on?

[Vino blanco]

Gudgeons ice cream used to come round two or three times a week, in a multi- coloured horse drawn cart. Remember asking my mum if she had 3d to buy cone from the ice cream man, quite often she didn't have the money (1 1/2 p). It had a wonderful creamy taste, I think it was made at a farm up on Rossendale Rd somewhere.

[CleggHall]

OWZTHAT!

[Volvoclaret]

[quote=huw.Y.WattfromWare post_id=1330067 time=1595521228

My Dad had a cricket game with hexagonal tubes, you could play the same with dice, one for the bowler and one for the batter. The bowler rolled and dependent on his outcome,(wicket, dot ballx2), runs, byes) the batter might get a roll, (1,2,4,6,RunOut,one short). We would bowl 2 overs at a time and swap or it could get boring. Set a winning score or wickets.
[/quote]

We used to play this at BGS in the sixties, using hexagonal pencils.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

OWZTHAT!

That’s the game, CleggHall.

[Clarets4me]

Fwiw, the Mayoral car was HG1.

It still is !

[Burnley1989]

Love this thread

[mdd2]

Gudgeons ice cream used to come round two or three times a week, in a multi- coloured horse drawn cart. Remember asking my mum if she had 3d to buy cone from the ice cream man, quite often she didn't have the money (1 1/2 p). It had a wonderful creamy taste, I think it was made at a farm up on Rossendale Rd somewhere.

Cece's ice cream is the best I have ever tasted and I think went bust in the 60's. There was also I think Ruth's ice cream at the tome
Also what about the game "shove hepenny played on a flat wall with two fingers forgoal posts the half penny was the ball, your player a penney and you shoved the penny usually with the flat of a comb, school ruler.
The in Burnley was the hop shop or Temperance bar serving non-alcoholic drinks including hop beer, blood tonic and the place set out like a bar.
Think it was on Yorkshire Street

[bfcjg]

Mambos, triangular shaped frozen blocks of teeth rotting juice.

[Fazz]

klackers.jpg (32.29 KiB) Viewed 2843 times

Clackers

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Clackers

I bought my sister some in Newcastle on the day MacDonald made his debut for them, against Liverpool, and scored a hat trick. Didn’t go to the match but remember it was August ‘71.

[mdd2]

OWZTHAT
I had my set from childhood and it was with me in my 30's having found it buried at the bottom of a drawer but it died a death when the score bit with OWZTHAT on was lost. As a child I spent hours playing it with England playing the Aussies or Lancs against Yorkshire, scoring every ball. Batsmen getting ducks and bowlers scoring 50's and 60's as not allowed to cheat.
But then did anyone play cricket using darts and a dartboard? I think you had to score runs between double and treble and if you went into the area between trebles and bull you were out. The bowler took one wicket for an outer bull and two for a bull and runs against him if the darts went outside the treble area.