Scenes of childhood B&W Photography of the UK

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

absolutely! the shipping and docks take me back .... boat trips down to Greenwich to see the ships ...

[Serial_Apologist]

Loved the top one: "Without Unity you are nothing". She was one of the Mitfords who joined Moseley, right?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

[Lateralthinking1]

Amazing. I too was a regular on the 709 green line in the mid and late 1960s. How many of us were there for goodness sakes? It must have been the earliest form of FoR3 club. Unlike others, we were going in to London to visit my grandmother. We didn't own a car until 1972. In fact, my parents couldn't afford one until the age of 42 and then it was one that was falling to bits.

The nearest railway station is nearly two miles away at the bottom of a long 1 in 9. We could though collect the 709 from two streets from here, 15 miles from central London, and travel all the way to Brixton. It was then a hop on another from Brixton to Walworth. Not sure how. A 12? Anyhow, later it was the boring red 68 from South Croydon whenever the car was off the road.

Incidentally, looking at both sets of photos, I am reminded how nearly all women wore head scarves. I think the ones in my family frequently did so when indoors. It was standard daily wear along with aprons, that is, except on a Sunday. The smell of London to me from that era is fruit and veg, sawdust on the rented shop floor, guinness and seafood. It was also always smoky autumn.

[Nick Armstrong]

... our milk was delivered by horse-drawn milk float. He also sold ... and a scrumptious cold milk chocolate drink called Lactachoc. Anybody remember that??

This bottle take you back then, S_A? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170821907718

[Serial_Apologist]

This bottle take you back then, S_A? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170821907718

I guess that is the one, Cal, though tbh I don't remember the logo on the outside at all. I still recall the flavour of Lactachoc, however, and there was a strong taste of condensed milk, alongside the chocolate!

[Serial_Apologist]

The smell of London to me from that era is fruit and veg, sawdust on the rented shop floor, guinness and seafood. It was also always smoky autumn.

For me it would have to be boiled cabbage - a smell of boiled cabbage that always assailed the nostrils whenever one entered other people's homes - never (of course!) ones own!

[Lateralthinking1]

For me it would have to be boiled cabbage - a smell of boiled cabbage that always assailed the nostrils whenever one entered other people's homes - never (of course!) ones own!

There is a current phenomenon I could mention but best not to I think.

Back in the day, our London fruit and veg smells were all fresh in my Nan's greengrocers shop. Unfortunately she never got any customers as I used to stand on a sack of potatoes and sing. All the people in head scarves and aprons ran away in various states of disturbance. One of several reasons why she died penniless.

Someone mentioned a milkman with a horse. That would have been my Grandad. He had that mare and float until he became a postman based at Rochester Row. By then, he'd had enough of the accidents.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

yep l'ordure was a London aroma in them days .... not just the milkmen, the cavalry used to ride around in the early mornings long two abreast column and in khaki ...terribly exciting for a six year old male .... [probably still do] and brewers' drays were a common sight ...

and the smoke from coal fires and consequent fog/smog had that sulphurous taint ..... not to forget the omnipresent cigarette smoke ...

[Anna]

My Mother remembers the milk being delivered by a float pulled by a horse. The horse was very dark brown and (I cannot post the name obviously) it was called N***** He was very popular and received numerous carrots in the hope he would leave an offering in the road in return which was quickly scooped up with bucket and spade by a neighbour to increase fertility of his veg patch. Evidently when said horse was retired and replaced by electrified milk float there was huge sadness and a big turn out for his last day and great hostility towards Express Dairies.

[Lateralthinking1]

My Mother remembers the milk being delivered by a float pulled by a horse. The horse was very dark brown and (I cannot post the name obviously) it was called N***** He was very popular and received numerous carrots in the hope he would leave an offering in the road in return which was quickly scooped up with bucket and spade by a neighbour to increase fertility of his veg patch. Evidently when said horse was retired and replaced by electrified milk float there was huge sadness and a bit turn out for his last day and great hostility towards Express Dairies.

No that's a different one. Ours wasn't called Norman.

(Anna you couldn't post something in the other Arts section could you please? I have three zero responses. Not as bad as normal for me but it could be even better. Just write "yes" or something. It will look like there's interest in the topics. Thanks.)



(Anna - Just spotted it. Thank you. Very kind. I now hope Wales win the Olympic Games).

[Serial_Apologist]

Evidently when said horse was retired and replaced by electrified milk float there was huge sadness and a bit turn out for his last day and great hostility towards Express Dairies.

A workmate of mine acquired a goat, stating that he intended creating a business selling goat's milk, but couldn't decide on a name. I suggested "Unigoat".

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

golly these are good/reminiscent can't decide

[Beef Oven]

golly these are good/reminiscent can't decide

that's racist.

[Nick Armstrong]

snooty

Not at all how I imagined you, pegleg!!