Over To You

The Daily Sparkle “Over to You” A collection of stories from Daily Sparkle readers 2012

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Chapter 1 Childhood

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Page 10

Isobel. H

Jean Haddow

I remember going to a wedding in Edinburgh. I was about 4. What I remember most was a bowl of tomato soup! I hated it. I have no recollection if it was just children that had the soup. I can’t imagine the bride wanting any. It would have looked awful if she spilt any.

When I was young, we didn’t have television, but we had a gramophone. I’ve enjoyed music all my life. I like to dance too, and though I’m not as young as I was, I can still get attention on the dance floor. Not bad for 80!

A sense of humour and a love of music were the best gifts bestowed on me. I haven’t had an easy life, but my ability to laugh and my love of music have never left me, and I thank the good lord for these gifts.

As a child I ate most foods quite happily. I remember lots of rabbit stew. It was always tender with no fat. It was quite a favourite of mine. I doubt many children today would say that.

Castle Gardens Care Centre

Castle Gardens Care Centre

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Page 2

Isobel Munro

Isobel Sutherland

My mother used to say, “Don’t cast a clout till May is out”. You didn’t wear summer dresses until June 1st. I remember lots of long warm summer days.

Summer seemed to last much longer. Winters were colder with lots of deep snow, great for snowball fights, sledging and snowmen. We wore thick skirts, knee socks and black wellies. We played outdoors all the time in all seasons, and were content with our lot.

I had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. We walked to school together and twice to church on Sunday. I had my chores - fetching water from the outside pump, sweep and wash the door steps, stir the porridge and wash the dishes. My brothers chopped and fetched wood for the fire, our only form of heating. But we still had many happy times to play. It taught me responsibility. I trained as a nurse and worked diligently all my life.

Castle Gardens Care Centre

Castle Gardens Care Centre

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Page 3

Jean Macleod

Eileen

I remember playing skipping games, and chanting

W h e n I was about 12 or 13 my friend Marjory and I would get up early. Mother would make a picnic of sandwiches and fruit and we would head down to Grovelands Park in Enfield.

We would hire a rowing boat for 6d and row out onto the boating lake. We befriended the boatman who taught us to row properly. My mother would have had a fit if she had known we were out on the water.

“2 little dickie birds Sat upon a wall One named Peter The other named Paul Fly away Peter Fly away Paul Come back Peter Come back Paul” The whole street would play together, ball games, hop scotch, tip, rounder’s, hide & seek, skipping and lots of sliding and sledging. No salt then of course.

Happy Days.

Cedars Care Home

Castle Gardens Care Centre

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Page 4

Keith Kateley & Norman Hall

Elsie Youngman

Dozing in my armchair, dreaming of the past, Memories of yester years soon go floating past.

Fishing on the river bank, waiting for a bite, Running across the meadows, flying my kite.

Scrumping apples from the orchard, whilst keeping out of sight, Blowing out the candle after Mother kisses me Good Night.

Searching through the night sky, looking for Santas sleigh, My memories are precious things that brighten a winters day.

A treasured memory of childhood is the day my mother prepared my twin sister and me for a Sunday School Outing to Weymouth. She dressed us in our very best clothes and a new straw hat each. I wonder what little girls would say today? We loved it until my sister’s hat was blown off her head and do you know what? It was lost for ever. There were tears, of course, and a scolding “why didn’t you hold on to it?” from mother.

Cleeve Hill

Rodwell Farm Nursing Home

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Page 5

Mabel Chapman

When I was young I remember ducks upon the pond, and in our garden, pigs and chickens, surrounded by animals everyday.

I loved the village where I lived, It is so different now.

Old house now not there, instead are bungalows new.

More comfortable in many ways, but I remember better days.

Still there remains the village green, with ducks upon the pond.

So memories like these remain with me.

They linger on until today.

St Martins

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Page 6

Memories from Jean on the fingers to make more noise.

I’ve actually used one of those irons. We were taught at school, along with starching, baking and washing. You stood the iron on the Rayburn to be heated up. There were about a dozen heating up in a row for all the girls. If you have 2 of those irons, they’re useful as bookends.

At school in domestic science, we were taught how to wash clothes and iron as well as baking and cooking.

We were taught how to starch clothes as well. We used a washboard to clean the clothes. You wet the clothes, got soap, rubbed it on the articles to be washed and scrubbed. Later, people like Lonnie Donegan used it to play music with thimbles

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In 1953, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland staged a pageant of Elizabeth I. A lot of the action took place on the castle walls and the dances happened down below. 12 girls were chosen from each school, including me. We practiced our dance for weeks. We made our hessian costumes from a very plain pattern. They were like smocks and very itchy. The principle actors had nice costumes!

My mother was given a blanket – maybe from the Red Cross. She made it into a coat for me. It was bright red. I stuck out like a pillar box! I hated it so my mother dyed it blue but it still wasn’t a success. Back then if something was given to you, you had to ‘make do’. After the war, I had a dress made out of parachute silk by my aunt who was a dressmaker.

Home Farm

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Page 7

Pam Gerrard

Ethel Hainsworth

When I was little, I lived with my cousins and Gran in Portsmouth. After the war, I went by myself to Singapore on a boat. I was only 4 and hand’t started school yet.

My father had a new wife. I went to school there until aged 16/17. When I arrived, my baby sister was just walking. An Amah helped look after her. I loved living there, and went back a few years ago with my husband.

I found everything much the same.

We grew up near Hartfordly Moor – there were only houses there, and a pub. My mother had a baby every 4 years. She lost one once. I always wanted to be a nurse – and liked to help me Mam if she was not feeling well.

It used to take longer getting over a having a baby in those days.

St Olafs Care Centre

St Olafs Care Centre

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Page 8

Gladys Thomson

Josie Kenny

My niece comes to dance and play her fiddle. She always used to dance and play - she and her sister always used to dance together.

I liked playing Rounders at home – we liked playing Rounders, me and my brothers– after school and at the weekend. I was one of the fast runners, they could never get me out! We used a bat and a ball & you get extra points the further away you hit the ball – I really liked that.

St Olafs

St Olafs

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Page 9

Chapter 2 Memories Of War

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Bernice De La Croix Poppy Day

Evelyn Armstrong

War Memories

Oh Poppy Day, Oh Poppy Day What a beautiful scene To greet our way We thank God that we are alive But mourn our comrades Who had to die Oh Poppy Day, Oh Poppy Day For all our fallen mates We now gather to pray May they rest in peace Amen St Anne’s Home

The sirens wailed, the planes flew over, We hurried down to the airraid shelter, Our dog Prince, eager to be first Nearly pushed us in the pond Helter, Skelter, into the shelter The Search Lights swept the sky Bombs were falling all around We hid below, safe and sound The “All Clear” sounded from above Up we scrambled to the light Peace again, to our delight Until the next raid came.

St. Martins

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Dolly Hutchens: Being in service since the age of fourteen

Leaving home-so hard at first, In service I began.

Endless Housework everyday, Work seemed never done.

Time off awaited eagerly, On Tuesday and on Saturday I must be back by 10.

Then war broke out and home I went.

I met and married Bill.

A soldier he, so called away And I was left alone.

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So bored was I, To London I returned An Usherette to be.

When bombs fell down The people fled We had to stay, No room for us below.

But through these hardships we all came To face another day.

Edited by Noel Malower St. Martins Centre

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Page 13

Chapter 3 Memories of Work

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Alan

Donald

I used to drive cart horses with vats of milk, delivering them to the shops. I got up before 6 am and walked across the fields.

Then we groomed and harnessed the horses. We picked the milk up about 7 o’clock and took it round the shops. I drove from when I was 10 or 11 years old. We finished the milk round around 8.30 and then we walked over the fields to school.

Home Farm Care Home

One early morning in 1953 my father was driving a goods train. As they went through a wood after a big storm, a tree had fallen over.

My father always drove with his left elbow sticking out the window. The branch hit his elbow bone and it threw him across the footplate and knocked his fireman to the ground. In the hospital his broken arm was set at an angle of 45 degrees. He went to his grave with his arm set like that.

When my father, Malcolm, became the engine driver… there were no speedometers in the engines then. During the war they were going that fast – they blew them up!

They were never replaced.

If they were ever asked “How fast were you going Malcolm?”, he used to say: “I was going pretty cheery!”

Home Farm Care Home

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Page 15

Dawn Turner

Tony

From humble beginnings in County Waterford I came to England in the late 1950’s. I was an accountant and kept close to the Irish community. I soon realised we needed a newspaper to facilitate communication between us all in the UK. With the help of a p r o f e s s i o n a l newspaperman, we created my new baby, The Irish Post. Launched on Friday 13th Feb 1970, it is still in publication bringing Irish people together in Britain.

Cedars Care Home

I used to walk to my offices in Ipswich, where I was a training coordinator. My twin sister had passed away with multiple sclerosis, I did not know then that I would be in a similar position 6 years later. I now find myself in a nursing home. I meet interesting people from all walks of life. We all have different conditions that resulted in us being here. Mine being MS “Took my legs”! My MS pushed me into a wheelchair dancing with other people like me. I love it! I realise now I am not the only one with mobility problems.

Handford House

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Pearl Wray The Broken Biscuit Company (BBC)

I began working for the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) temporarily to cover for a lady who had contracted TB (Tuberculosis).

The lady had to go to a TB place in Beresford. I was asked would I like to stay, but on the condition that I left when I was 18 years old which was the law.

When I was coming up to my 18th Birthday, a senior Secretary was leaving because she was getting married.

Women did that in those days.

There was a general up move in the BBC and I was asked would I like to be a junior secretary, so at least I got a foot in the door and went on from there. Mike Neville and George House at the time worked there.

The BBC, we affectionately name the Broken Biscuit Company.

I went onto outside broadcasting in Manchester which was very interesting.

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I went to night classes to get my grades.

It was a case of keeping an eye on the vacancy board to see what came up. Then I applied for a job on the board.

I went to Manchester. I didn't dream I would get the job. My mother nearly had kittens when I did.

It was much harder in those days as when women got married they left their jobs to look after their families, which was the right way. As I was single I had more chance of promotion.

One funny story was when I went outside for lunch with John Betterman and he lay down on the pavement in his suit and waistcoat!

I went to the BBC to cover sick relief and stayed there for 30 years.

Collingwood Court Care Home

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Page 17

Polly Eccles

Paddy

When I was a weaver I had 6 looms - broad for bedding, narrow for curtains etc and tall for long sheets. Our mill was in Blackburn near where I lived. I actually met my husband there. The mill was always noisy and we communicated using hand signals (some could be very rude!). We worked 7.30am till 5.30pm everyday and liked coming home to a home cooked meal from mother.

In 1951 in my early 20’s I worked in one of the first coffee shops in London. It was The Old Brompton Road and was owned by a Jewish couple. They had an Italian coffee machine that was difficult to operate. The menu was full of things I had never seen or tasted before like spaghetti Bolognese, goulash and pastries. I wore a black skirt with a white apron and earned £2. 5s per week, but made much more money in tips.

Hazeldene Care Home

Cedars Care Home

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Page 18

Chapter 4 Miscellaneous

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Adele Footman Fireworks!

Remember! Remember! The 5th of November Gunpowder, treason and plot.

Guy Fawkes Guy, don’t poke him in the eye.

Put him on the bonfire as children, we sang and shouted with mirth and glee.

Oh what a spree of wall crackers and sparklers, fountain of stars, nearly reached the sky, what a beautiful sight!

Guy Fawkes Guy don’t poke him in the eye.

For all the fun he provided.

Now we pray May God forgive him He was just led astray St Anne’s Home Copyright © 2013

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Page 20

Reg Oldman The Joys of Motorcycling?

Whilst traveling on the A406, my faithful 600CC panther’s single cylinder started to play up. It kept cutting out! My wife was in the side car and my motorbike suddenly stopped near a chain linked fence. I got my pliers and cut the fencing strands.

After cursing and swearing I saved the motor with the fencing wire. I started the engine. My wife and I arrived home safe! She was on the verge of collapse but we made it!

Handford House

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Page 21

Edith Clowes

Poem Many years ago as a birthday treat My husband bought me a gift smelling so sweet Channel No5, I smelt so divine I much preferred it to Channel No9

Years ago my husband bought me a bottle of Channel No5 perfume.

Unfortunately I broke the top but saved the perfume by pouring it into an empty whiskey miniature bottle and I didn't tell him. Weeks later during a coughing bout in the night, he saw the miniature and had a good drink. Panic! I rang the hospital no problems and the staff thought it was hilarious. And my husband had the sweetest smelling breath for a good few days!

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But then one day disaster struck I broke the bottle, what bad luck The remainder I put into a Bells whisky small A miniature bottle I had in the hall My Husband was unaware of the change It was by the bedside just in his range He downed the lot-oh dear what a treat and for days and days, oh his breath smelled so sweet.

Shaw St. Pauls Oldham Age UK22

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Page 22

Janet Gillam Comfort

I find comfort in a dog called NaLa, how strange! But it is so.

Stroking her glossy black coat brings me such great joy and peace.

She looks up at me silently, and I feel her love reaching out to my whole being.

I feel so honored and delighted if she settles down and sits at my feet.

I am sure creatures are not as unknowing as we think.

It seems to me they can understand more of the world, and its maker, than we do!

Ash Court

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Chapter 5 Winter

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Marjorie Storey Umbrellas

Soon he reached home as dry as could be soon woke the door mouse "Oh deary me where is my toadstool" loud he lamented and that's how umbrellas first were invented Josephine Brookes West Wales Winter

Under a toadstool sat a wee elf Out of the rain to shelter himself Under the toadstool fast asleep sat a fat door-mouse all in a heap

The wee elf trembled, frightened to fly away in case he got wet

To the next shelter nearly a mile suddenly the wee elf smiled a wee smile Tugged at the toadstool which toppled in two Holding it over him gaily he flew

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In the town, pensioners brave the black, ice-rink culde-sac with walking stick hovering, to divine the safest route On the road, the Milk Marquee tankers lumber, like beasts themselves.

Over the soft brown sugar coloured spread of sand and grit.

By the river, club-footed icicles dip in their toes. and long, convict-arrow bird prints pattern the whitened grass Plas Bridell

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Page 25

Joe Muller Spirit of Christmas

Thunderclouds slowly dissipated allowing sunlight to bathe the bustling suburban shopping centre in welcome warmth. The squeal of brakes, blaring hooters, flatulent bark of delivery bikes, mingled with background of christmas carols from a variety of stores. Store windows colourfully decorated with holly and snow, many father christmas’ on show, reindeers with sleighs, a multitude of christmas presents on display adding a festive air.

Extract taken.

Alma Oliver Winters Coming

I’ve watched the leaves fall gently From the old oak tree.

I’ve seen the skies grow darker Before its half past three.

The days are getting shorter We’ll soon be having snow The temperature keeps falling As I write, its very low.

The need for scarves and gloves to wear Is even more urgent To thwart a winter storm “Long Johns” and great big overcoats Will soon be “Rig of the day” Hot drinks, good food, and common sense Will help keep flu at bay.

Collingwood Court Care Home

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