Young Thoughts of a Man

The book opens with early 1950's life as viewed through the eyes of a child up until the age of seven, when out flow the memories of growing up in Ludlow, South Shropshire in the late1950's-early 1960's, capturing a mode of existence now lost in the mists of time.

In the two main streets featured, only one house had a phone; prior to the late 50's only one had a TV set; laundry was done in sink or boiler, before being wrung through a mangle; most family vegetables were grown in the back garden; there was no central heating; the only take-away was the downtown chip shop, over half a mile away; the nearest thing to an off-licence was a service hatch at the local; there were two main grocery stores, but no supermarkets; no domestic refrigerators; plastic in the shape of buckets, bowls and bags had yet to make an impact; most mothers wore corsets and most men didn't use deodorant.

The small market town of approximately 6,000 souls boasted twenty eight pubs, but Chinese and Indian restaurants were as yet unheard of. There were two cinemas, seven butchers, four bakeries and two newsagents, but no hint of titillation along the top shelves, for shudder the thought, even the sexual mysteries of life were rarely explained.

Compared to today, things were certainly Spartan, but underlying all was a sense of immense fun as the locals forged a fresh start emerging victorious from the Second World War. The food had far more flavour; beer was the equivalent of less than half the price of a pint today; the Sunday joint was succulent and would last well into the following week; there was no real need to lock house doors; children invented their own games, roaming far and wide without their parents fretting; the family doctor would visit for something serious, but for the usual round of colds, flu, mumps, measles or chicken pox, mothers took care of things.

Play clothes were often hand-me-downs courtesy of family and friends and if a neighbour needed help, it was soon forthcoming. Very few owned cars, making the family bike essential and with money being tight, holidays were often taken by staying with relatives.

Amongst all this was a small gang of lads, playing...read more...