Friday 19 January 2007

Memorys

Well there is no-one in the British Isles ,who needs to be told what an awful day yesterday was ..with the worst gusts of  winds ,for seventeen years .so apart from the familys  and friends of the thirteen people killed in the gales ,and to them we send our heartfelt sympathy,we are counting the costs as well as our blessings that we are safe .Numerous lorrys turned over on the A14 ,near Huntingdon as well as part of the rail station roof torn off,and at Ely a double decker bus was blown over .Maurice was on his time off, so  we decided to stay in doors where we listened to things crashing and banging around all day ,peoples sheds and fences suffered,and we  watched on the TV  ,telling of all the horrific accidents the gales had caused ,our dinner was just about ready ,flicker flicker phut ....out went our electricity supply .

We found candles and torches ,and Maurice found our gas stove that we take fishing with us ,so we were able to have a  hot drink ,and out came our little transister radio ,then came a knock at the door, Glen from next door whose parents were at work came round ,and we all sat around talking about the days before we had any electricity .......

When I was small ,we had a fire place very much like the one in the above picture ,My Mother used to cook on this ,pans would go on the top ,and delicious meals came out of the oven ,the kettle was always singing on the top too ,at the left hand side we called it the boiler ,it would be kept filled with water ,so we always had hot water ,well small amounts any way ,I can remember my Dad filling up his enamel mug to shave with ,larger amounts of water was boiled up in the copper in the scullery ,this 'copper' was a brick built affair with a chimney at the back ,and a fire would be lit underneath to supply our wash day water and for bath night too,then the zinc bath would be set in front of the range ,for us to get our bath .we got our water from a pump in the street, like the one in the main graphic ,but not as grand ,for light we relied on lamps that burned parafin oil ,it stood on the table and as children ,we were constantly being reminded to 'mind the lamp' we also used candles ,in wee Willy Winkie type candle stick holders ,and our wireless,had a great big everready battery ,and an accumalator to make it fuction ,and what programes we listened to Childrens hour ,with Uncle Mac ,Laaarry the lamb,Norman and Henry Bones the boy detectives ,and listen with Mother ,We listened to Dick Barton special agent ,The ovaltinys and many other favourites ,And then in 1947 ,(just after the war ) we had Electricity ,so things began to change .

So yes while we sat in the candle light last evening ,I took out all these memorys ,and thought about all the changes I have seen in my life ....Have a happy warm and safe Friday everyone ,and a good weekend ..with love From

                                           

Thanks to Kath for the picture of the range .  http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have never seen one exactly like that. We either had a fireplace or a cast iron cook stove but not inserted in the fireplace. That is a very interesting photo. Helen

Anonymous said...

OH Jan, I did love reading your lovely memories.  I'm glad that nothing untoward other than losing your electricity happened to you in yesterday's upheaval  We were very fortunate as well.  God bless those that weren't.  Have a lovely weekend!
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Anonymous said...

My Great Aunts had the same fire/range, I loved going to visit them, I've never been a modern girl, if I could have candle powered computers I'd happily go back to pre electricity days, apart from my hair dryer, oh! and my blender, then of course there is the fridge freezer and...........

Linda x.

Anonymous said...

Your former home is beautiful, it looks so peaceful. Glad you are feeling better.
Love
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Oh Jan, what memories !  We lived in Cumberland during the war, and had a range just like that.  Very cosy sitting in the bath in front of it.  The privy at the bottom of the garden is better forgotten......... Bunny xx

Anonymous said...

Yes Jan like the song says" Thanx for the memories " I remember everything you have mentioned here in your enrty.We never seemed to stick fast for anything .I do not think I still do.  tend to keep things which will be usefull in these blackouts etc.
Theer was always the smell of a joint in my mothers oven and the kettle was thick with black soot Haaaaaaaaa!! Dad made it our job of cleaning it.I remember my dad always listened to "Have A go Joe" ya got ta have a go.I can hear them singing the signature tune now,carn't remember what yr that was though. LOL!! On another note now yes it is so sad when people lose there lives in such nasty weather.My heart too goes out to all ther families.Your birth home is beautiful by the way.How proud your parents must have been of this lovely home.Love the coloured graphic too.Take care God Bless you too have a wonderful week/end with Maurice.
Astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

I can remember the old wood burning monstrosity in our basement that cooked our meals and heated the bathwater for the tin tub we had to bathe in! I also remember the out house in the back yard and the trips up with a lantern at night..we sat and listened to the wind whipping thru the yard..it's a wonder the outhouse never went over with a good gust!
And these kids now a days think life could be better for them hahahah! Bubble baths and the micorwave meals...haha! They don't know when they have it good.
xox :)))))))) Doreen

Anonymous said...

lovely  memories you evopke of a bygone age

Anonymous said...

At least you now have the power back on, Jan.

Anonymous said...

what a lovely nostalgic entry about times gone by.  I love the picture of you outside the house you were born.  Hugs  Terry x

Anonymous said...

Jan what a lovely entry and I got so engrossed in your writing that I never looked at the pics - so I'll go back up and look!! LOL - We were lucky and didnt get a power cut but it really has been bad hasnt it!! Lainey xxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/elainey2465/art-degree/

Anonymous said...

Oh silly me it was just one pic LOL Laine xxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/elainey2465/art-degree/

Anonymous said...

I saw on the news that you all had been hit with hurricane force winds and wondered if any of our J-landers were affected.  The weather certainly has been doing alot of havoc on both sides.  I often wonder what I would do if the electricity went out.  I'd have no heat for sure.  I should get a little stove of some kind.  My grandparents went without electricity until the 1950's and I always loved visiting them.  They even had to heat the iron on the stove and I remember not being very good at ironing that way. We are very spoiled compared to them .  Thanks for the memories today.  'OnYa' - ma

Anonymous said...

I'm glad it was just the power you lost and nothing structural! I feel so sorry for the families of the people who died, what an awful start to the new year. Life was so different then, we had a range and tin baths .... a big one for mum and dad and little one for us kids! I always remember moving into a house with our first bathroom, we stood and stared at it for ages, I asked mum how we were going to get it down the stairs and hang it in the garden! Radio programmes were good for our imaginations weren't they?! Have a good weekend! Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

Isn't it strange what a power cut can do!! Believe me, I know..hehe!

Great entry. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Lv Ste
xxxxx

Anonymous said...

so glad you and Maurice are ok:) stay safe and warm:)

Deb

Anonymous said...

Glad you & family are ok. I thought of all my friends across the pond when I heard of this! My prayers & condolences go out to those who lost family & friends.
Hoping your weekend is calsm. {{{{ }}}}
God bless,
Sugar

Anonymous said...

Your storms were even broadcast on our news here in the states.  Wind is such a scary thing...it can cause so much damage.  It's horrible when the power goes off.  I would have never made a good pioneer.  I like all things electric.   So happy to hear you and Maurice are ok.   Linda in Washington  

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry about the damage and lives lost in the storm.  So very sad.  We get those winds here sometimes.  I thought it must be nice, though, to sit around with your friends and talk by candle light about old times.  Hope all is well and that you are safe and well.
Hugs,  Kathy

Anonymous said...

Glad you are OK after the storm. You must have power now or I would not be reading your entry if you are cosy and can get a hot drink its not so bad. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed that Jan. I remember a lot of it too. When I was really small my mum used to bath me in the old butler sink in the kitchen. Then when I got too big for that I remember bathing in a tub in the front room in front of the coal fire. We also used to toast bread over that fire too. B. x

Anonymous said...

It`s great when you remeber isn`t it?? We take electricity for granted and only really miss it when it clicks out, I loved your story and your Dad shaving with the water in the cup made me think of my Dad too thanks.
luv bella xx

Anonymous said...

Awful weather the other day wasn't it!!
Lovely memories here though :o)
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

Jan how lovely you could all sit around reminiscing about the time before electricity ~ how did we manage before I can remember my Mum heating an iron over the gas to do the ironing ~ glad we don't have to do that today ~ loved your memories Jan ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

In my garden a lovely twisted willow had been uprooted, my garden bench had been blown across the garden, fences blown down and various potted plants strewn everywhere, but just a bit of tidying up, nothing compared to what others have suffered.
Loved the pic of the kitchen range, I have the alcove I just need the range!
That's a lovely house where you were born Jan, has that area changed very much since then?

Anonymous said...

ahhh that was a lovely read Jan...my gran had a range like the one in the pic and a gas lamp above it covered with a gossamer thin gas mantle.  Such advances thechnology has made since those days...wish my Gran could see us now !!   Thanks for the memories  x  Eve

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan.  Loved your comment of past times.  I remember to well of such similar things, the fire place where all the cooking was done.  We did have water in the home although it was only a cold tap, and like yourself had a kettle aways boiling for hot water.  Remember we only changed our underware once a week, after bath night on a Saterday, we had clean clothes on a Sunday for Church. When I tell my girls about this they a horrified.  Well those was the good old days.  We can have a laugh about them now. Kathie.

Anonymous said...

Dear Jan
thank you for this wonderful entry!
I am releived that youare ok! Sorry you had sucha n ordeal to go through! nice graphics!
love,natalie

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your memories. I also have a few of those as a child. Getting bathed and dressed by the fire so, we could stay warm. Electricity is a wonderful thing. Sorry to hear about all the problems and the weather related deaths. I have been catching up on your Journal today. I sure enjoy your writing. My Regards, Bill.

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry that you did not have electricity.

Having said that, what wonderful memories came from the chat you were able to have.

I can remember all the things you mentioned, Dick Barton was my favourite.  I am not sure but I think these programmes can be re heard on DAB radio.

We did not have our own tin bath and we relied on a neighbour who heated up the water, in the Copper, for us to use.  

The neighbour's house was across the road, from where we lived and, when I had had my bath, dad used to roll me up in a Pegged Rug and walk me home over his shoulder.  Although I could smell my hot clean skin, I could also smell the dust on the Pegged Rug.

I would not wish to go back to those hard times but I would love to be able to sit and listen to interesting people again as they made their own entertainement before TV's came into our lives.

Although I would not want to be with out a TV set, I would love to b able to listen to the tales that were told to us, by elders, before we went to our beds.

Thank you for the memories and I hope that you and your family's lives are now back to normal.

John.

http://journals.aol.uk/jacksj989/OldJohnsMemories  

Anonymous said...

I did read about the terrible gales you suffered.  I'm glad you only lost electricity.  How we take so much for granted.  Loved your stroll down memory lane.  Times and technology are certainly far and above what used to be.  Love xx Chris

Anonymous said...

Very sad about all the deaths Jan. I'm glad you and Maurice are okay.
Dianna

Anonymous said...

All that wind must have been kind of scary. Interesting to read about your life the way it was growing up. Paula

Anonymous said...

Oh Jan, I love these pictures you have included in your entry today!  What a wonderful childhood you must have had!  Just beautiful!  I am relieved that you and yours are safe and sound after the winds.  It was definitely a first for this American transplant!

Susie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/susanebunn/ItAllStartsAfter50/

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan ,this is a great entry bringing back lots of happy memories,your memory is much better than mine .After you rang me to say you'd lost the eletricity ,I hunted for candles and matches just in case, as our lights kept flickering. Lovely to see "Plesant View" again and you of course,that was taken on a happy day wasn't it .So sad those people lost their lives in the horrific winds.Looking out the window this morning and we have lovely sunshine .Pete has gone for a walk ,I'm catching up on here ..........Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting my blog this morning Jan.  I'm glad you enjoyed the story. The fireplace above is the exact one that was once in this old house.  I showed it to my husband and he agreed.  We nearly bought one to put back in again for nostalgias sake about twelve years ago...but didn't. It cost , second hand, £1,300 way back then!  I remember visiting here before, when you won the competition.  I'm glad I found you again. I have put you in my aol alerts this time so that I can keep up with your happenings.  Loved your cushions and needlework.  xx Jeanie

Anonymous said...

I can relate to all that Jan is there anything to touch candle light?
I remember wathching thunderstorms through the french windows whilst consuming my cocoa and Chocolate spread sandwiches and Listening to Jet Morgan and Journey into space. ah happy days.

Take Care Dave

Anonymous said...

I never knew they made fireplaces like that!  Very beautiful! I'd love to have that in my home!  
I've never lived without electricity except when the power goes out for various reasons. Once, it went out for about 5-6 hours and we had candlelight all evening....and dinner....and it was one of the most pleasant evenings I recall.
Very peaceful, really.
Enjoyed this entry Jan.
Pam

Anonymous said...

Jan, I loved that! such memories! Laarry the lamb and the ovaltinies! you have got me thinking now...I love that house you were born in, do you have any pics from when you were small there? you know me, I love all the old pics! Linda xx

Anonymous said...

Oh you do have some happy memories, I can remember the house I grew up in having a range like the one in your picture,   and before my parents house was modenised, my mum never cooked on it, but she did use the oven at the side for making her bread, no mater how many times I try my bread never tastes like my mums used to, must be down to having it baked in her bread oven as she called it,
and to answer your question on my journal NO Josh isnt allowed on the computer without suppervision, LOL
take care Lynne xx

Anonymous said...

me again Jan!, this really is a lovely blog, makes me feel all cosy. I wasn't born til the 60's, but familiar with the fens, having grown up in Methwold Hythe and surrounding areas. Familiar with Ely, still go there in summer and picnic at the cathedral, and draw of course!. Would be lovely to meet up for a natter sometime. Keep up the good work
Mandy x