Things that time forgot.

[mercia]

are bowler hats still worn by anyone ? catching my bus to school, my friend's father, who worked in the city, wore pin-stripe trousers, a dark jacket and a bowler hat and always carried a rolled-up umbrella whatever the weather

[Ferretfancy]

Betjeman's Elaine, "Friday nightly drowned in Drene" and of course Silvikrin for her chap's hair.

By the way, whatever happened to cream soda?

[Richard Tarleton]

You didn't live on "Alba Avenue", by any chance?

Redcliffe Gardens

[Serial_Apologist]

Redcliffe Gardens

No 33, in fact!

[Serial_Apologist]

Penny for the guy seems to have disappeared.

The last time I noticed must have been at least a couple of decades ago. A kid called out, "Penny for the guy!" I said, "OK, but where's the guy?" "Oh, round the corner", he replied. I followed him nervously into a side street. There, surrounded by a group of his friends, was what amounted to not much more than an old beat-up pillow propped up against a wall wearing a Christmas mask. "You call that a guy?" I said. "Oh giss us a penny mister - it's for a home" said the boy, imploringly. "What home?" I wanted to know. "Our home" he admitted, sheepishly.

[french frank]

are bowler hats still worn by anyone ?

My grandfather wore a bowler, though he didn't work in the city. He was an unsuccessful entrepreneur - went bankrupt when he bought an old char à banc (sharrabang) to organise trips to the seaside. It kept breaking down. Nothing to do with the bowler.

There's an accordionist that busks outside the Coop on Gloucester Road - he was there on Saturday - always wears a bowler and long overcoat.

[jean]

My aunt used to wear one when riding a horse.

[mercia]

now that I've thought about it I expect university college porters still wear bowlers ....and orangemen ..... and grenadier guardsmen .... and Acker Bilk ...

[Padraig]

Quite common at times in Northern Ireland.

[mercia]

I'd love a ride in a charabanc - I expect there are some still about

[ahinton]

My aunt used to wear one when riding a horse.

You must have interesting tales to tell, jean, even if you might choose not to tell them!

[ahinton]

now that I've thought about it I expect university college porters still wear bowlers ....and orangemen ..... and grenadier guardsmen .... and Acker Bilk ...

Perhaps in all cases because of the security that each believe/d that it might afford them (you know, a bit like the headgear equivalent of bullet proof vests)...

[ahinton]

Penny for the guy seems to have disappeared.

The last time I noticed must have been at least a couple of decades ago. A kid called out, "Penny for the guy!" I said, "OK, but where's the guy?" "Oh, round the corner", he replied. I followed him nervously into a side street. There, surrounded by a group of his friends, was what amounted to not much more than an old beat-up pillow propped up against a wall wearing a Christmas mask. "You call that a guy?" I said. "Oh giss us a penny mister - it's for a home" said the boy, imploringly. "What home?" I wanted to know. "Our home" he admitted, sheepishly.

I never met this girl Penny.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Sir Clive Sinclair inventions.

[french frank]

I'd love a ride in a charabanc - I expect there are some still about

Yes, that's the kind! I have some photos of my great-uncle in one - wearing a flat cap like some of these.