A 1950's childhood in Moss Side
(Three generations can't be wrong)
By David Hulson
My nose feels all crusty now I said, as Roger pressed hard onto the wood with the hot poker,and as the smoke rose into the air along with the smell of burning wood he said ,Well that's the main hole in the base burnt through you can put the poker back into the fire again now our kid . I took the poker and replaced it back in the fire, And next time I burn a hole through the wood ,keep your face out of the way he shouted . So that's the hole in the base of the bogie done now for the front axel beam, He said, slowly the bogie grew the bolts ,the steering rope ,the push beam,for the yard brush ,.....wheels Dave he said looking at me . I'll get them I said , these are real racers our kid I said ,a set of SILVER CROSS . "these Wheels have been used by three generations of kids ,the last kid to use the pram was my little sister Christine, after we had dismantled it we left the rest of the pram in the entry, for the Rag and bone man to take away" Come on bring them over here said . I picked the wheels up by the axels and placed them next to the two ,three-by two pieces of wood.
"It was like watching a top surgeon from B.U.P.A preparing to do a liposuction Or a face lift as he knelt there he looked up at me , a 4 inch nail and hammer he said" on a brick on the ground he placed the wood spar and atop of that was the axel that was attached to a set of wheels, and with all his skill he placed his nail within a micron of the axel and belted it with the hammer thwack ! thwack ! thwack ! the nail penetrated the wood and bent over due to the brick underneath, bash bash the head of the nail was bent over the axel to secure it , This was repeated at least six more times before this job was completed . Sweet I said . Now to burn a hole through the centre of the wood so we can join the front wheels to the base with a loose nut and bolt. now go and get the hot poker Dave. Stand back I said as I returned to the yard with the hot poker, Give it here said Roger ,and hold that wood steady ,and then he pressed down on the wood ,Zzisssssss smoke and wood fumes strait up my nose again.
My nose has gone crusty again I said. Stop moaning he said it's all done now, just pass that nut and bolt ,spanner , pliers. That's it front section is attached to the base ,now to start on the rear wheels. I rolled them over to him and he repeated the whole process of nailing the axel to its wooden spar, things flowed smoothly as the rear wheels were secured to the body and they were given a a quick spin of satisfaction, all done our kid said Roger as he righted the bogie. Well its ready for its test run he said with a sense of pride. So we're are we testing it I said . The croft smiled Roger . We pulled the bogie out of the back gate into the entry ,turn left onto Hulton Street and across Greme street to the croft on upper Hulton street. "This was like a formula one circuit for bogies"
You drive and I'll push said Roger ,putting the yard brush into the block ready to push . I put my feet onto the the front axel and held the steering rope tight. Right here we go said Roger as he started to build up speed across the croft, turn down the entry he shouted between puffs , now turn! a push on the right spar turned the bogie to the left , the walls are narrow-here ,as it's only a small alley way . Left now shouted Roger across the other croft the ground was bumpy here , left again came the order from the rear , along the pavement ,left again shouted Roger ,as he stopped pushing ,and the bogie rolled to a stop. I turned around to see Roger bent low ,hands on knees ,and breathing heavy Well it works fine he said between taking in large gulps of air. Well it's my go now said Roger, giving me the brush , oh Ships ! It's the Dobbins, he said. new cart said Graham ,giving it the once over, Ohhh Silver Cross wheels ,neat he said .
YA and it's fast said Roger in a smug sort of way. We'll race you round the block said Graham, Baz go and get ours, Without a word ,Barry ran off home for their bogie. As Graham turned to watch Barry go, Roger whispered to me ,stay on the Bogie you're the lightest . It wasn't long before Barry returned with their cart ,a low slung job , with push chair type wheels with rubber air filled white tyres , now she's fast said Graham . On the strait you may be faster said Roger ,but we've got the ground clearance over the rough ground. Barry Said Grahan you get on I'll push . So what's it going to be said Roger ,twice around the block. Fine by us said Graham ,on the count of three. One, two, three, go!............................
The big wheels were good on the rough ground and as we reached the short alley way, we were in front , Roger had the speed he jumped on to the back of the bogie to stop being hit by the dobbins, as they were right behind us in the narrow alley way the dobbins squeezed past , at the end of the alley Roger jumped off and started pushing again a left turn ,and we were on to the other croft The small wheels of the Dobbins bogie were catching on the rubble strewn croft and started to judder , ours floated over the broken bricks and rubble and we were Back in the lead , a sharp left turn again on to the pavement and the dobbins drew level ,but we had the inside lane ,but their low slung bogie pull slightly in front of us. hold tight shouted Roger to me were cutting right across the croft , we've got the edge on them , Graham had to go wide as the small wheels couldn't take the short cut. Got you shouted Roger at Graham as we made our last turn into the little and very narrow alley way . Graham pulled level again due to the smooth ground ,
Roger jumped on the back again to save himself from being hit , once again neck and neck down the alley we went . when Graham crashed into the wall At speed , As we left the alley we looked back to see Graham hitting the wall and Barry falling forward over him, splinters of wood flying through the air, and a wheel rolling on its own till even that hit a wall and stopped. Roger jumped off the back of the bogie and half running and half walking he completed the course, I'm knackered said Roger making wheezing noises , Come on he said let's check on them . as we walked into the entry ,Graham and Barry were picking them selfs up What happened said Roger .
The grid in the entry said Graham ,the front wheel went into one of its slats and ripped the wheel right off , that when I skidded into the wall. Oooooo he said as he straitened up. Barry was still sat on the ground breathing heavily amid the remains of their cart. As long as you're okay said Roger turning around to leave the alley way. And putting his arm over my shoulder as we walked away . And you can't beat the class of a Silver Cross that's had thee generations of our family riding in it. Now let's take our bogie home.