Our Village - Stantonbury

Recollections of Sixty Years Ago by Doris Blunt

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Years ago our village Was not like it is today, For when you chanced to walk up the street You would see children really at play.

We had a time for skipping ropes and also for whips and tops, We had much fun when bowling our hoops there was no such thing as the pops.

For in those days there was no wireless no radiograms to play, So we made the most of what we had and contented ourselves each day.

As evening drew nigh we played around the lamp; We'd never heard of the twist, But we found much pleasure in the small things of life and in those days there was not much we missed.

On Sundays we all went to Sunday school we looked quite smart dressed in our best; And mother would say as we walked out the door- "be good now and listen- Cos your memory I'll test'.

At day school we had some fine teachers, who were very, very strict, If sent to Bess Brooks, Miss Williams or Miss Haycock we knew we'd get the stick.

What fun we had on the Sunday school treat to Fenny Stratford we would go; Not on a bus- it was canal and barge with the old horse pulling very slow.

And if we should be kicking a ball when a policeman came in the street, We'd scatter quick- we had to be alert for them days they were prompt on the beat.

In them days we had the old cottage loaf;of bakers here's just a few- Mr Masters, Mr Harrup, Mr Moore and Mr Pearce and they baked our Sunday dinners too.

We had no fancy cut bread like today all ready to spread for your teas, but at least you could cut off a jolly good hunk and enjoy it with a nice piece of cheese.

When your chimney needed sweeping you called in George Blunt, Mr Grant the grocer of renown, Mr Durham was our milk man; he came round with cans of milk, Harry Bushby sold you winkles, shrimpsans whelks.

Old Mrs Hepworth sold you faggots and peas; Percy Styles advertised mazz-a-watti tea; Mr Ben Woodward was pleased to cobble your shoes; Danny Milwoods, Gretrows Toogoods was where you went for your booze.

If for a change you fancied fish and chips to David Sayells you would go; also from him you could hire a bicycle for an hour or so

Old Mr Hyde brought his truck round with coal, Mr Lines' shop had the barbers pole; when the drapery was needed you spent with Mr Prykes; when letters needed posting, stamps were bought at Mr Syke's

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