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My father worked at Armstrong Siddeley and we went to Christmas parties in Siddeley Avenue. We received a gift when leaving. Dad took us on the bus and it seemed such a long way from our home in Holbrooks. Long hours were worked in factories and Dad was also an ARP Warden. Singing was a gift Dad had and he used it when he could, conducting church choirs and singing locally. During 1938 Dad also managed to get work with the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú for some solo work, which included ‘Workers’ Playtime’ during wartime. The British Broadcasting Corporation, Broad Street, Birmingham was the main address at that time. He was engaged for chorus work in many broadcasts including ‘Songs for Everybody’, Florodora’, ‘Dorothy’, ‘Music of the Theatre’ and a particular favourite of ours, ‘Happidrome’. We enjoyed the lines sung ‘We three in Happidrome, working for the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú, Ramsbottom and Enoch and Me’. I remember mother telling us about Dad arriving at Coventry station late one night; there had been a very heavy snowstorm. he walked home to Holbrooks, pushing his bicycle through the deep snow. He needed his bike to get to work early next morning. Mother could never get off to sleep until she heard Dad arrive home safely. Dad travelled to Birmingham, Kidderminster and Bangor for rehearsals and broadcasts during this difficult time.

We listened to the ‘Children’s Hour’ with Uncle Mac. A favourite at 6.45 pm each evening was ‘Dick Barton Special Agent’ with Snowy and Jock. ‘Toy Town’ had Larry the Lamb with his quavery voice, Mr Mayor and Ernest the policeman. Another serial was ‘Beau Gest’; also the ‘Paul Temple’ stories by Francis Durbridge with the stirring music of the ‘Coronation Scott’ as a signature tune. One of my mother’s favourites was the ‘Wilfred Pickles’ programme with ‘Mabel at the table’ and ‘Give her the money Barney’ catch phrases. ‘Tommy Handley’ was another favourite with the catch phrases ‘TTFN’, ‘I don’t mind if I do’ and ‘Can I do you now Sir?’

Wheelwright Lane Methodist Church played a major part in our lives. We attended church regularly and joined in the different activities as we grew old enough. Sunday School Sermons was an annual event for which we learned songs, solos, duets and poems or verses to recite. There were special morning, afternoon and evening services that day. Concerts given by the various groups were well attended. Visiting groups from local churches also came along. A particular favourite was a rendition of ‘The Laughing Policeman’ performed by a member of Lockhurst Lane church. ‘My Grandfather’s Clock’ was a well loved piece and we would join in the chorus. We had several people who were able to recite long, interesting monologues. Social evenings were organised during the year with indoor and outdoor events (activities). Games such as spin the bottle or spin the plate and Beetle Drives. Dancing favourites were ‘The Dashing White Sergeant’ and ‘Strip the Willow’ but many more were danced. I remember my watch, a birthday gift from my parents, flying from my wrist during one of these hectic dances! Church anniversaries were celebrated, even during the food shortages. Harvest Suppers followed the Harvest Festival Sunday Services. Grace was always said before meals and often the ‘Doxology’ was sung ‘Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen’. My father said grace before all meals at home. Even if he was eating alone, he would bend his head in prayer. As we grew older we would go with Dad to the Christmas Watch Night service. After Sunday evening service, on pleasant summer evenings, we would go for a walk often in the Exhall area. One of the favourite walks was along Wheelwright Lane to where Blackberry Lane now is; then along the lane to Davis’ Farm, crossing the mineral line and passing the ponds where the newts lived. There were many wild flowers in the fields including delicate azure blue harebells.

Clothing shortages meant altering and passing down clothes as much as possible. Material strips, making bands of colour, were let into our skirts to add length where possible. We learned to knit using yarn when wool was not available. Dad repaired our shoes. He had a Last on which he could repair soles and heels with leather or put in Segs (small metal studs).

I can’t remember in which year we first went to the Coventry Co-operative Society Holiday Camp in Rhyl. Queues would form and you had to have a Co-op check number to be able to book the holiday. Mother’s number was 6763. Dad came with us one year and was badly stung on his back by Jellyfish when swimming in the sea. The chalets were made of wood and were very basic. Linens were sent on by rail and collected on arrival. We travelled by train but I am not sure if we travelled from Coventry or Foleshill station. In later years more substantial chalets were built and we did have a holiday in one of them.

There were ration books for various foods and coupons. My parents had been through difficult times during the 1930’s so economising and making ends was what they had been doing for many years. As we grew old enough Marjorie and I would go on our bikes to queue for bread and cakes at Farr & Reddy in Lockhurst Lane. The queue would be long outside the Livingstone Road door. One day the assistant was very concerned how cold Marjorie looked. I dare not day she was my sister in case they rationed what bread we had.

My mother’s brother and two of Dad’s brothers all joined the army. News of them was always received with anxious anticipation. They all returned home safely following the end of the war.

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