Knocky's Nose
Mon nez est retiré.
Let's have some happy talk on here for a change. I'm pissed off with bad news, politics and terrorism - and the death of Brian Cant led me to thinking about my childhood.
I was born in 1970 - so I was introduced to the world in the wacky decade that was a strange come-down from the economic boom, fashion revival and musical revolution of the 60's. Power cuts, strikes, god-awful fashion, the long hot summer of '77, fuel shortages and growing up on a horrible council estate in Bradford. God I hate Bradford. My family still live there though, so I have to visit. I see it as penance for any sins committed in Sussex, the place I have lived in for the last 28 years. Gods own country - love the place.
Anyway - my childhood looks bad on paper, but I cracked on - and look back on it as "enjoyably shite" - thanks in the main to my Nan (RIP Nan), 'Mrs M's Sweet Shop' - and a 25" 'Baird' Television we rented from 'Visionhire' which took 5-10 minutes to 'warm up' and show the TV programmes I'll never forget.
So - what was your favourite (and I'll tell you mine) :
TV Programme : Jamie and the Magic Torch (I used to walk home from school at lunchtime as I lived 100 metres away and nobody cared where the kids went!). I used to watch it, have a sandwich, then go back to school for the afternoon. Honourable mentions to Pipkins, Camberwick Green, Ivor the Engine, Rentaghost, The Ghost of Mottley Hall, Captain Pugwash, Playschool and Blue Peter.
Sweets : Spangles. Basically compressed sugar, with E-Numbers added. I used to love Toffo's, and when 'Pacers' came out I ate them until I felt sick. Spearmint sick though - smelt better.
Drink : Dandelion & Burdock. We actually used to have a 'pop man' who came round with a lorry full of fizzy drinks. Like a milkman, but with a bloody great lorry! 'American Cream Soda' was another one which was new and trendy!
Toy : Big Trak. I never had one, but I dreamed of owning one. I bought one from eBay a few years ago - a genuine, boxed 70's example. Box ticked. Get in. I also had a horse racing game called 'Totopoly'. Odd, that was...
Push Bike : Grifter. I wanted a Raleigh Grifter. I got as far as a Raleigh Tomahawk, which was a 'Baby Chopper' - and the bigger boys had Choppers (fnaaar). Never got one. Ambition unfulfilled. I wanted the 'Grifter XL' and even had a poster on my wall as a 'hint' to my parents...
Shoes/Trainers : My Mum (who was a poorly paid waitress in a Fish & Chip restaurant) saved for ages to buy me a pair of 'Clarks Polyveldt' shoes. I loved how comfortable they were. All the 'rich kids' had them, so it was pretty cool.
Fashion : I knew nothing about fashion, but I liked an 'Aran' jumper my uncle gave me. My Aunty Janet bought it for him - 6 foot man, shrunk it in the wash until it was almost half the size, and it fitted a 4 foot man - which was me. I used to sweat some in it though!
Car : I knew little to nothing about cars, but my Dad had a 1971 3.0 Capri which I thought was cooler than cool. It got broken into, steering column wrecked, rolled down the street into a quiet layby, then smashed to pieces. He never said why, but knowing him he was probably banging someone's Mrs in the street... He was a bit of a 'player' back then..
Music : I never bothered much as a little kid. I remember liking 'Queen of Hearts' by Dave Edmunds, lots of Abba (my Mum's fave group) and my Dad playing an album called 'Burundi Black'. I loved the bass, and the drums. Ottowan get a mention too - they looked mental!!!
I shall now fire the nostalgia starting pistol..... The 1970's - we salute you...
Tell us about your 1970's........
I was born in 1970 - so I was introduced to the world in the wacky decade that was a strange come-down from the economic boom, fashion revival and musical revolution of the 60's. Power cuts, strikes, god-awful fashion, the long hot summer of '77, fuel shortages and growing up on a horrible council estate in Bradford. God I hate Bradford. My family still live there though, so I have to visit. I see it as penance for any sins committed in Sussex, the place I have lived in for the last 28 years. Gods own country - love the place.
Anyway - my childhood looks bad on paper, but I cracked on - and look back on it as "enjoyably shite" - thanks in the main to my Nan (RIP Nan), 'Mrs M's Sweet Shop' - and a 25" 'Baird' Television we rented from 'Visionhire' which took 5-10 minutes to 'warm up' and show the TV programmes I'll never forget.
So - what was your favourite (and I'll tell you mine) :
TV Programme : Jamie and the Magic Torch (I used to walk home from school at lunchtime as I lived 100 metres away and nobody cared where the kids went!). I used to watch it, have a sandwich, then go back to school for the afternoon. Honourable mentions to Pipkins, Camberwick Green, Ivor the Engine, Rentaghost, The Ghost of Mottley Hall, Captain Pugwash, Playschool and Blue Peter.
Sweets : Spangles. Basically compressed sugar, with E-Numbers added. I used to love Toffo's, and when 'Pacers' came out I ate them until I felt sick. Spearmint sick though - smelt better.
Drink : Dandelion & Burdock. We actually used to have a 'pop man' who came round with a lorry full of fizzy drinks. Like a milkman, but with a bloody great lorry! 'American Cream Soda' was another one which was new and trendy!
Toy : Big Trak. I never had one, but I dreamed of owning one. I bought one from eBay a few years ago - a genuine, boxed 70's example. Box ticked. Get in. I also had a horse racing game called 'Totopoly'. Odd, that was...
Push Bike : Grifter. I wanted a Raleigh Grifter. I got as far as a Raleigh Tomahawk, which was a 'Baby Chopper' - and the bigger boys had Choppers (fnaaar). Never got one. Ambition unfulfilled. I wanted the 'Grifter XL' and even had a poster on my wall as a 'hint' to my parents...
Shoes/Trainers : My Mum (who was a poorly paid waitress in a Fish & Chip restaurant) saved for ages to buy me a pair of 'Clarks Polyveldt' shoes. I loved how comfortable they were. All the 'rich kids' had them, so it was pretty cool.
Fashion : I knew nothing about fashion, but I liked an 'Aran' jumper my uncle gave me. My Aunty Janet bought it for him - 6 foot man, shrunk it in the wash until it was almost half the size, and it fitted a 4 foot man - which was me. I used to sweat some in it though!
Car : I knew little to nothing about cars, but my Dad had a 1971 3.0 Capri which I thought was cooler than cool. It got broken into, steering column wrecked, rolled down the street into a quiet layby, then smashed to pieces. He never said why, but knowing him he was probably banging someone's Mrs in the street... He was a bit of a 'player' back then..
Music : I never bothered much as a little kid. I remember liking 'Queen of Hearts' by Dave Edmunds, lots of Abba (my Mum's fave group) and my Dad playing an album called 'Burundi Black'. I loved the bass, and the drums. Ottowan get a mention too - they looked mental!!!
I shall now fire the nostalgia starting pistol..... The 1970's - we salute you...
Tell us about your 1970's........
