UK Memories Blog!
Hi Neighbours,
I am currently reading a book called “A 1950s Childhood: From Tin Baths to Bread and Dripping”. I have also read the book “A 1940s Childhood: From Bomb Sites to Children’s Hour”. They have both been written by English authors, so are based on their memories of growing up in England during those years. These books are also recalling wonderful memories for me, growing up in England during those years, covering school, games in the street, i.e. hopscotch, pop stars, ie. Tommy Steele, etc.
When I first came to live in New Zealand, in 1984, I was amazed (and still am!) at how many people in New Zealand write with their left hand, something that I always wanted to do! When I was a lot younger, I used to imagine what it would be like for me to write with my left hand, so I used to stand in front of the mirror and write something with my right hand, and watch myself writing “left handed in the mirror”, and think “I wish I could do that for real! (Isn’t it sad for some people ha! ha!)
So, I thought I would share one of the pages from the 1950s book with you, but especially any neighbours who were brought up in England during these years, from which you will see in the attached page, in the blocked paragraph, what it was like for us if we tried to write with our left hand. I’m sure a lot of English people will remember those days!
I have another book to read like these two above, and that one is called “Pie ‘N’ Mash & Prefabs”; my auntie lived in a pre-fab in Slough, Berkshire, UK, so it should bring back some lovely memories for me.
If there are any English people out there who are interested in these books, I bought them from www.amazon.co.uk.... Also, of course, if any New Zealand neighbours had parents who lived through these years in England, these books would give them an insight into how their parents lived in those years.
In time, I may consider donating these books to Linwood Library, but I want my friend to see them first, as she was born in Heywood, Lancashire
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5% Second half of November
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43.3% 1st December
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16.7% A week before Christmas
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33.5% Whenever you wish
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Handy gardener wanted with large chainsaw
Just needing a small job topping small hedges chain sawing. I’ve done most of the hedges however not the power saw that can cut through the branches I can’t.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.