Sadly missed? Blasts from the past - A reminder of Stafford's past

[Gramaisc]

I'm so sorry that we might have impacted on you.

 

[age'd parent]

anyone remember the 'little old lady' (that's how we described her as juniors in the late 60s) she was the librarian in the borough library she looked after the childrens section on the 1st floor she always gave us a resounding 'THANK YOU' when serving us in fact to a number of us under 10s she became known as Mrs Thank You..... the library building itself i am reliably informed was built using a substantial contribution from a certain Mr Carnegie i often lie awake at night pondering why this wealthy gent became involved in such a project... attached to the library was/is a museum as kid it was quite boring as it seemed as if the exhibits never changed...outside next to the odeon was a pet shop probably called 'pets corner' as i boy i felt sure that the animals therin did not know this but if they did they would feel a lot better for it.....if this seems like a banal wittering ramble you maybe right it's just that sometimes my mind goes a bit.....anyone remember the bailey bridge?......

I remember the bridge being put in place, it only took a few hrs, one sunday. But I can't remember if it was the army or the ta practicing, that did it.
Oh and the museum does any one remember the butterfly cabinet, every time i went there I had to have a look at the giant metallic blue one in the center

 

[basil]

yes my brother also watched the bridge being put into place i am reliably informed it was the royal engineers.....

 

[Gramaisc]

I miss the Red Cross shop. Eunice and the girls ( and boys ) produced a steady supply of clothing, books and other useful things for many a long year. And all in a really good cause. I was greatly saddened to see it go.

 

[basil]

Well over 4 decades ago Highfields estate was officially named Highfields 1 and Highfields 2 (a bit east european i'm sure you'll agree) the border was Coleridge Drive thru' to Milton Grove. In fact i recall these two titles were actually on the buses that served the area, firstly there was the S90 which was from town via W'ton Rd it would terminate at Dryden Crescent then turnaround and proceed back to town. One day the S91 was introduced this bus came to Highfields via Newport Rd straight thru' Westway and back to town on the W'ton Rd. this enabled the good old S90 to return to town along the Newport Rd.These were Midland Red buses and double-deckers to boot they had the single seat driver's cab like the London Routemaster only the passenger egress was via a bi-fold door operated by the conductor as opposed to the hop on/off variety. Oh the joyful memories i have of sitting on the top deck at the front being the imaginary driver being very careful not to smash into the Odeon as i swung it from Bridge St. into Newport Rd, i'd even wave nonchanantly to Mr Wassall and Mr Jeffrys in case they were looking out of the window of their Aussie dental surgery......

 

[Gramaisc]

...I know not of what you speak - it's all bandit country to me up there. Do the police dogs still only go in pairs?

 

[basil]

There were 2 police houses twixt Lovelace Close and Hillcrest 2 next to Castlechurch primary school 2 at the bottom of Auden Way and 4 at the end of Keats Ave!! ...bloody hell the east european link notion penny has just dropped....

 

[Gramaisc]

.... there's nothing wrong with a bit of real community policing - especially if it keeps the oiks a bit nervous.

 

[basil]

I am reliably informed that the Japanese know this...

 

[basil]

highfields 1 and 2 were also served by buses whch provided 'works service' the main works being english electric as it was then named. as kids we would watch as these buses would offfload factory employees in their droves i recall that all the men dressed pretty much the same long drab overcoats belted at the waste and that symbol of drabness the flat cap...

 

[Gramaisc]

...11,000 men providing electricity to the far-off colonies and dominions - still, a Pizza Hut, a KFC and a Travel Lodge is far better for humanity as a whole, don't you think.

 

[basil]

i guess my foray into the world of buses and flat caps means that that part of my life is Sadly Missed and i spose it's also about my acceptance that i will never experience those moments again which at the time was not foremost in my mind. Also i've become aware of my own mortality and that most of my own personal life events have been and gone and probably the next big event in my life will be my death.....Christ!! Freud would have a field day here......

 

[Florence]

Are you alright basil? The glass may be three quarters empty but you can still go back to the bar...(or something?)

 

[basil]

I like the 3/4 empty routine that'll surely encourage someone to by me a drink especially if i'm dressed in a fllat cap and a drab overcoat belted at the waist..

 

[Gramaisc]

.... I do my best to ensure that Florence is belted.

 

[Florence]

You know I like it...

 

[Gramaisc]

...perhaps I have misunderstood the moaning.

 

[Florence]

I will remain silent in future, but you'll miss it... (feeble attempt not to derail thread...)

 

[Gramaisc]

I will remain silent in future.)

I have taken a screen print - signed by two witnesses.

 

[basil]

there used to be a NHS clinnic at rising brook adjacent to the baptist church (the old one) i had a tooth extracted their at an early age i often lie awake at night wondering just how hygenic that heavy smelly rubber mask that sent me to sleep was?.....