We remember when... (From York Press)

We remember when...

9:54am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Letters By Readers' letters

WITH reference to the opening of Mr Simm’s Olde Sweet Shoppe (The Press, September 29), this gave me time to reflect on my childhood.

I used to visit my aunty Beautrice’s sweet and confectionery shop, in Hyde, Staly-bridge, Manchester; it was a replica of the Victorian sweet shop in the Castle Museum.

There was an array of homemade sweets, treacle toffee, barley sugars and hard boiled sweets, designed to ward off a common ailment of constipation through lack of ready available fruit and vegetables because of the war years. Liquorice sticks taken from the tree made for a good chew.

Christmas festivities on ones own doorstep saw melted treacle toffee and an apple, along with mint chews, a mixture of mint from the garden, a portion of black market sugar and pastry, ensured a special treat. A Rowntrees bar of chocolate mixed with oats made a good crunch.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.

 

• I ATTENDED Scarcroft School until I was 11 and the Priory Street Higher Grade School in the war years. I went to Primes Commercial School at night for shorthand, typing, maths, book-keeping and English, running after work in the blackout to attend from the age of 14.

I worked for my local doctor from 9am to 7.30pm, plus 9am to 1pm on Saturday, and night school after that. I did my homework when it was quiet or the doctor was out visiting, and also at night before bed. My typing has always come in useful, especially in this age of computers. I spend hours online at the age of 84.

Moving on in life, I went into the hotel trade and to property restoration, running a village store; so many things to do always. I raised three fine children and am now a great grandmother. Life is what you make it. Find something to interest you; don’t rely on others for amusement. I still keep active, helping in house and home. There is always something to do.

Keep taking an interest in life. Read newspapers on the computer, write articles, find things out and amuse the kids; keep in touch with family, friends, acquaintances too.

Audrey Richardson, Purcellville, USA.