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Post by tony38337 on Dec 10, 2006 9:10:51 GMT -1
When I was a kid of about eight I used to have various methods of raising money. I may have mentioned previously that one of these methods was to find out what Offlicences sold a certain brand of soda siphon and pop. Off Thorpe Rd was the cleaning sheds for sleeper trains and other long haul trains that had restaurant cars that sold drinks hence the empty soda siphons and pop bottles which I used to nick and take to the Offlicence and get the deposits back. Another good fund raiser was running errands especially on a Friday evening when all the young working men were getting ready to go out and they would want someone to run to the shops on Thorpe Rd. for a Seven O'clock razor blade or a blue Gillette blade. The faster you ran the more you made, it would wind down with the odd errand for the old lady would give you a jug covered with a tea towel and instructions to go to the Grosvenor (Known locally as The Glue Pot) for three gills of bitter or mild. Along with things we used to go for was Bile Beans, Indian Brandee, Liquorice root, Arrowroot, Bev and Camp coffee essence, Moore's Luxury Loaf, I can remember the latter being delivered to our corner shop still warm from the oven.
Going back to the razor blades I think a single blade in the 1950's used to cost something like 3d or 4d and probably was made to last the week if you were lucky. I bought a pack of eight blades on Friday and it cost me £10. 45 which I think may have been a week and a half wage packet for a working man in the 50's, how times change eh?
Tony T.
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Post by lin on Dec 10, 2006 12:11:25 GMT -1
Well said Tony, and how very, very true.
Lin
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Post by clancy on Dec 10, 2006 18:34:41 GMT -1
Lin ;D i think you mean Tony not Tommy  is it getting older or what :oTommy oxox |
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Post by clancy on Dec 10, 2006 18:56:17 GMT -1
HI Tony, i don't remember most of the products you mentioned in your last comments but you did bring back some memories for me such as running errands for some of the folk around the area we lived i never told my parents i did  i used to go to the bookie down the back ally with a piece of paper and a coin in it, also go for five cigarettes to the store and the lady said don't tell him who they are for  i know now that she probable didn't pay her last bill, i used to take empty bottles back for some, wont go into the other things they had me shopping for  i was in the boy scouts for a while and did the bob a job thing some people were very kind to me and give me five or six shillings a drink something to eat to do a small job and others would have me digging soil cleaning up the garden for hours and give me a few shillings i agree about the blades i used to watch my dad shave with an open razer at first then he had the one you mentioned he would end up with news paper bits all over his face i have just bought a new razer and extra blades mach 3 the blades are approximately 8 pounds for 8 they have a 3 blade system and are great really smooth and last for ages ;D see what you did tony you got me going take care and have a great Christmas and new year tommy |
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Post by lin on Dec 10, 2006 19:19:38 GMT -1
Lin ;D i think you mean Tony not Tommy is it getting older or what :oTommy oxox Sorry you're right Tommy  Lin |
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Post by tony38337 on Dec 14, 2006 5:08:18 GMT -1
Hi Tommy,
Ooooh yes do I remember the bits of paper, the excuse used to be "It was a new blade" Of course there was the posher element (Or was it the HE MAN approach) to use "The styptic pencil!" Know what you mean about 5 Woodies or Weights, it doesn't half bring back memories.
Tony T
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Post by frances on Jul 19, 2007 15:59:13 GMT -1
Hi Tommy Delayed reply. My grandad used a cutthroat razor. As children we were fascinated when he sharpened it on a leather strap. He wouldn't use a safety razor at all. He ended up with bits of paper stuck on his face afterwards. His hand used to shake a lot and we used to wince when he shaved. It looked dangerous. He lived until his eighties though. They made them tough those days. I can remember the things Tony remembered so we must be about the same ages. Do you remembers Fennings little healers in a round box.  ?? |
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Post by Lisa on Jul 19, 2007 16:45:01 GMT -1
Hi Frances, Fennings Little Healers and Fennings Cooling Powders. What about Potters Little Liver Pills and Zambuc ointment? Thermogene as well........any more?
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Post by clancy on Jul 19, 2007 19:47:29 GMT -1
hi Frances ;D yes i did watch my dad shaving with the razer and thought he will end up cutting his neck he always had bits of paper to stop the bleeding i have a safety razor with 3 blades in it very easy to use and a close shave the electric one's are useless for me, only good for bum fluff pleased to see you back on site. did your visit to Eire go good and did you like it did you go to the north or south sorry i don't remember the fennings pills i do remember some of the things you have mentioned in the past but not all of them take care ;D tommy xox |
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Post by tony38337 on Jul 22, 2007 8:51:24 GMT -1
Hi Frances, My age (As of last weekend) is 62 and yes I remember Fennings Little Healers and Coolers also the other things that Lisa mentioned, Ya want more? How about Bile Beans and Germolene, Sulphur Tablets and Indian Brandy, Gee's Linctus and to go with the Thermogene Ellemans Liniment, if I remember rightly it was heavily laced with camphor, Wintergreen was another goodu'n then Fullers Earth, Beechams powders and pills, then we had things like Moth Hacks, Airwick Mist and Flit 'n Fly Papers, IS THERE NO END TO THIS NOSTALGIC MADNESS? ? Tony T. |
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Post by Belinda on Jul 22, 2007 19:57:57 GMT -1
Hi Tony,were those fly papers the ones that hung from the light fittings,horrible sticky things. Talking of fennings and such,do you remember Cephos powders(i think i spelt it wrong)my gran used to stand for ages twirling it round in her cup.I often wondered why,if she had an headache didnt she take it as soon as she made it. x Belinda
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Post by Lisa on Jul 23, 2007 13:33:04 GMT -1
Hi Belinda, My mum often had 'one of her headaches' and took herself off to bed. I hated it because the house was so quiet. She always took Cephos tablets. I dont think they sell them anymore, do they? Hi Tony,were those fly papers the ones that hung from the light fittings,horrible sticky things. Talking of fennings and such,do you remember Cephos powders(i think i spelt it wrong)my gran used to stand for ages twirling it round in her cup.I often wondered why,if she had an headache didnt she take it as soon as she made it. x Belinda |
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Post by Belinda on Jul 23, 2007 20:34:24 GMT -1
Hi Belinda, My mum often had 'one of her headaches' and took herself off to bed. I hated it because the house was so quiet. She always took Cephos tablets. I dont think they sell them anymore, do they? Hi Tony,were those fly papers the ones that hung from the light fittings,horrible sticky things. Talking of fennings and such,do you remember Cephos powders(i think i spelt it wrong)my gran used to stand for ages twirling it round in her cup.I often wondered why,if she had an headache didnt she take it as soon as she made it. x Belinda Hi Lisa,I know what you mean.No i dont think they make them now,ive never seen them. x Belinda |
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Post by frances on Jul 29, 2007 9:01:43 GMT -1
Hi all
My mother used to use Cephos powders, she thought they were very good.
I can also remember those fly papers. My grandmother had one hanging from her light in the front room. It was always covered with dead flies. Horrible thought,. But it was the norm then days so we thought no more about it.
I can also remember putting pennies (yes pennies) into the gas meter. Now there is a memory for you.
We went to Northern Ireland on our trip. We stayed around the Giants Causeway area. It was very nice but having to go back and forth to where we stayed limited our time in the areas we visited. It is a lovely place and next time we want to go to Southern Ireland. We didn't get chance to visit the lively pubs as the only pub just served meals where we were.
Maybe next time.
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Post by frances on Jul 29, 2007 9:05:12 GMT -1
Me again
What about Kaolin poultices? I seem to remember my mother spreading something on brown paper and putting it on our chest when we had bad colds. Our liberty bodices kept it in place.
The children would die now if they had to wear them today.
Omo, Rinso and Oxydol? Ring any bells.
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Post by Lisa on Jul 29, 2007 12:08:24 GMT -1
Hi Frances, I remember them all. As well as Thermogene. Do you remember the first hair shampoo when it came as powder in a sachet and you had to mix it with water? I think it was called Silvacryn. How about Fairy Soap when it came in a large green block, and Carbolic soap. The first 'nice' soap was called Knights Castille and made a change from the Fairy soap. The Kaolin Poultice that you mentioned was mixed to a paste and put on your chest if you had a cold. I had Whooping Cough for months and I remember by mum putting that on my chest, then went on the woollen vest, then the Liberty Bodice, then the thick cotton knickers with elastic around the legs. I can still remember going out to a nightclub in 1962 and my mum asking me if I had my vest on !!! "Oh, yes, of course mum, I have it under my Little Black Dress". Me again What about Kaolin poultices? I seem to remember my mother spreading something on brown paper and putting it on our chest when we had bad colds. Our liberty bodices kept it in place. The children would die now if they had to wear them today. Omo, Rinso and Oxydol? Ring any bells. |
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Post by Lisa on Jul 29, 2007 12:15:33 GMT -1
Hi Frances, The Fly Paper was coated with a sticky substance and it contained Arsenic too so the poor flies didnt stand a chance. My gran always had one hanging from the light in the centre of the room and was a dark brown colour. Ugh!! The gas and electricity meter was in a cupboard in our hallway and I loved putting the pennies in, then turning the knob and hearing it drop. My mum thought she was rich if the meterman called and gave her some of the pennies back. She left them on the top of the meter and I used to ask for one of the pennies for an ice lolly but never got one !!!  Most of the pennies then were very well worn and I still have a pile of them somewhere.  Hi all My mother used to use Cephos powders, she thought they were very good. I can also remember those fly papers. My grandmother had one hanging from her light in the front room. It was always covered with dead flies. Horrible thought,. But it was the norm then days so we thought no more about it. I can also remember putting pennies (yes pennies) into the gas meter. Now there is a memory for you. We went to Northern Ireland on our trip. We stayed around the Giants Causeway area. It was very nice but having to go back and forth to where we stayed limited our time in the areas we visited. It is a lovely place and next time we want to go to Southern Ireland. We didn't get chance to visit the lively pubs as the only pub just served meals where we were. Maybe next time. |
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Post by OLLY on Jul 29, 2007 14:37:15 GMT -1
hi lisa Its nice for all us chaps to hear about all the old items that were onsale, and its nice of the senior lady members to tell us about them,......... is`nt it,  I didnt know about powder for washing hair, the only powder I knew was the one that women put on there face to make it look smoother, ;D now what was the name of it mmm, I cant just think what it was called, maybe one of the brave male members can remind me. ;D olly. av to go and pack my case now....... |
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Post by frances on Jul 30, 2007 16:49:41 GMT -1
Hi Lisa
I remember the Sylvacryn shampoo. There was also a soft soap which my mum used then rinsed my hair in vinegar and water (my hair was darker them days). I remember the metal grips you put on your hair to make waves, (We must have been mad) also the metal curlers with two prongs in the middle to wrap your hair around then close the outside to fasten.
We looked like something out of Frankenstein when you think. (Just to make an impression on the boys!!!!)
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Post by Lisa on Jul 31, 2007 8:54:10 GMT -1
Hi Frances, Didnt those metal curlers make your curls look dreadful, or the waves look so artificial??? Before that it was RAGS worn at night to put ringlets in your hair. They were murder to get out if one got stuck but mine only looked nice for a few hours as the damp weather made them drop. I longed for curly hair....... Hi Lisa I remember the Sylvacryn shampoo. There was also a soft soap which my mum used then rinsed my hair in vinegar and water (my hair was darker them days). I remember the metal grips you put on your hair to make waves, (We must have been mad) also the metal curlers with two prongs in the middle to wrap your hair around then close the outside to fasten. We looked like something out of Frankenstein when you think. (Just to make an impression on the boys!!!!) |
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Post by Lisa on Jul 31, 2007 9:10:39 GMT -1
Hi Olly, You're probably on your way by now on your holiday. Are you thinking of FACE POWDER? hi lisa Its nice for all us chaps to hear about all the old items that were onsale, and its nice of the senior lady members to tell us about them,......... is`nt it, I didnt know about powder for washing hair, the only powder I knew was the one that women put on there face to make it look smoother, ;D now what was the name of it mmm, I cant just think what it was called, maybe one of the brave male members can remind me. ;D olly. av to go and pack my case now....... |
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Post by tony38337 on Aug 2, 2007 3:12:14 GMT -1
Hi All, Was the face powder " ?" by Helena Rubenstein as used in Hollywood, the one I mean came in a round turqoise blue type box with a mirror in the lid. Tony T |
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Post by frankwalsh on Aug 2, 2007 12:37:16 GMT -1
Hi all, talk about life in the fifties, I have just been to see my mam in Melbourne, to celebrate her 89th, birthday, we did the40's50's to death, the things she can remember, one thing my Mam reminded me about was an old friend of my Grans, who used to read tea leaves, as soon as everybody had finished their cuppa, she would make predictions based on the shapes made by the tea leaves, course all the old ladies swore by her, as any one else heard of this.
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Post by Lisa on Aug 2, 2007 13:10:43 GMT -1
Hi Frank, We also had someone in our neighbourhood who read fortunes from tea leaves. When someone had finished their cuppa, the lady would swill the dregs around the cup, turn it upside down into the saucer, wait a few seconds, then turn it back and, according to the 'pictures' in the leaves, she could tell your fortune. I've also seen it done in coffee dregs too. How lovely that you still have your mother with you at the age of 89. I bet she could tell us a tale or two eh Frank??? Hi all, talk about life in the fifties, I have just been to see my mam in Melbourne, to celebrate her 89th, birthday, we did the40's50's to death, the things she can remember, one thing my Mam reminded me about was an old friend of my Grans, who used to read tea leaves, as soon as everybody had finished their cuppa, she would make predictions based on the shapes made by the tea leaves, course all the old ladies swore by her, as any one else heard of this. |
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Post by Lisa on Aug 2, 2007 13:16:27 GMT -1
Hi Tony, Face powder was made by many cosmetic companies including: Coty, Helena Rubinstein, Revlon, Max Factor, Ultima ll, Innoxa, Lentheric, Boots to name but a few. It came in several colours, depending on your type of skin. Is this what you mean Tony, or am I missing the point? Hi All, Was the face powder " ?" by Helena Rubenstein as used in Hollywood, the one I mean came in a round turqoise blue type box with a mirror in the lid. Tony T |
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Post by Belinda on Aug 2, 2007 21:04:36 GMT -1
Hi all, talk about life in the fifties, I have just been to see my mam in Melbourne, to celebrate her 89th, birthday, we did the40's50's to death, the things she can remember, one thing my Mam reminded me about was an old friend of my Grans, who used to read tea leaves, as soon as everybody had finished their cuppa, she would make predictions based on the shapes made by the tea leaves, course all the old ladies swore by her, as any one else heard of this. Hi Frank,I knew an old lady who read the tea leaves,it was quite spooky how many times she was spot on.I also knew a lady who would read the old coal fires,but i remember as a child being able to see all kinds of things in the fire sometimes id scare myself so much id be terrified of going to bed,so i didnt put much score by her.x Belinda |
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Post by Belinda on Aug 2, 2007 21:17:32 GMT -1
Hi Tony, Face powder was made by many cosmetic companies including: Coty, Helena Rubinstein, Revlon, Max Factor, Ultima ll, Innoxa, Lentheric, Boots to name but a few. It came in several colours, depending on your type of skin. Is this what you mean Tony, or am I missing the point? Hi All, Was the face powder " ?" by Helena Rubenstein as used in Hollywood, the one I mean came in a round turqoise blue type box with a mirror in the lid. Tony T Hi Lisa,He cant mean cement or plaster as i think olly was hinting at,you dont get a mirror with those ;D ;D x Belinda |
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Post by Lisa on Aug 3, 2007 12:53:05 GMT -1
Hi Belinda, We'll only know what Olly was hinting at when he gets back from holiday. I wondered if he was winding us up after I'd put the post on but then when Tony came back with his reply I began to think that maybe he wasnt.  Hi Tony, Face powder was made by many cosmetic companies including: Coty, Helena Rubinstein, Revlon, Max Factor, Ultima ll, Innoxa, Lentheric, Boots to name but a few. It came in several colours, depending on your type of skin. Is this what you mean Tony, or am I missing the point? Hi Lisa,He cant mean cement or plaster as i think olly was hinting at,you dont get a mirror with those ;D ;D x Belinda |
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Post by Belinda on Aug 4, 2007 22:17:43 GMT -1
HI Tony, i don't remember most of the products you mentioned in your last comments but you did bring back some memories for me such as running errands for some of the folk around the area we lived i never told my parents i did i used to go to the bookie down the back ally with a piece of paper and a coin in it, also go for five cigarettes to the store and the lady said don't tell him who they are for i know now that she probable didn't pay her last bill, i used to take empty bottles back for some, wont go into the other things they had me shopping for i was in the boy scouts for a while and did the bob a job thing some people were very kind to me and give me five or six shillings a drink something to eat to do a small job and others would have me digging soil cleaning up the garden for hours and give me a few shillings i agree about the blades i used to watch my dad shave with an open razer at first then he had the one you mentioned he would end up with news paper bits all over his face i have just bought a new razer and extra blades mach 3 the blades are approximately 8 pounds for 8 they have a 3 blade system and are great really smooth and last for ages ;D see what you did tony you got me going take care and have a great Christmas and new year tommy Hi Tommy,I was just reading about you running to the bookies and it reminded me of when i were a kid.The end house next to the croft was a bookies,you went through the front door where you were met by a sliding dark window.I went for my granddad.i thought it was wonderful,all hide and seek.I realise now that it was all probably illegal x Belinda |
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Post by tony38337 on Aug 19, 2007 2:51:16 GMT -1
Hi Belinda/Lisa,
Reading the above on makeup reminds me that my Auntie Florrie used to refer to it as "Tutty" Do you remember that?
Tony T.
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is it getting older or what :oTommy oxox
i used to go to the bookie down the back ally with a piece of paper and a coin in it, also go for five cigarettes to the store and the lady said don't tell him who they are for 
i know now that she probable didn't pay her last bill, i used to take empty bottles back for some, wont go into the other things they had me shopping for 
i was in the boy scouts for a while and did the bob a job thing some people were very kind to me and give me five or six shillings a drink something to eat to do a small job and others would have me digging soil cleaning up the garden for hours and give me a few shillings i agree about the blades i used to watch my dad shave with an open razer at first then he had the one you mentioned he would end up with news paper bits all over his face i have just bought a new razer and extra blades mach 3 the blades are approximately 8 pounds for 8 they have a 3 blade system and are great really smooth and last for ages ;D see what you did tony you got me going take care and have a great Christmas and new year tommy 
??
Most of the pennies then were very well worn and I still have a pile of them somewhere. 
