Entertainment - Clive Dann

Television
Televisions were only in black and white until the later years of the 50s. There was only one channel for many years; BBC, programmes started early afternoon with Children's Television. Andy Pandy, Muffin the Mule, the adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Roy Rogers, Skippy the Kangaroo and Lassie. I remember a test card featured before transmission started, there was a young girl's face in the centre. Colour and Independent television with advertisements came along in the late 50s

Toys
I had a Hornby Double O electric train set, Dinky toy scale model cars and a meccano set, these were my favourites, they were beautifully made. I had a peddle car that I rode round the garden in, it was a replica of a Wartime American Army Jeep.

Music and Pop Stars
Elvis Presley hit the scene, he was featured in films and on television. he apparently was reluctant to come to Britain
Bert Weedon published books on how to learn the guitar. he actually died only this year

Books and Comics
Enid Blyton wrote 'The Famous Five' series of which there were many. I still had the 'Noddy' books, and the 'Eagle' comic arrived every week. I was a member of the 'Eagle' club; I wore a smart enamel Eagle badge on my school blazer

Entertainment - Margaret Court

Radio - Journey into Space

Movies - Dan Dare, Hop Along Cassidy

Radio's had two accumelators - I had a case to carry it in

Dancing, Church Socials

Flea Pit for 2p - one film and news reels - stayed until they were thrown out.

Entertainment - Stallard Court

We saw the Beverley Sisters in Hull.

They used to deliver fizzy Corona bottle to your door.

Also bread – it was still warm and I used to have the crust – a bit for me and then a bit for the dog – my Mum hit the roof!



Entertainment - The Ley

We liked listening to the radio.  You had to charge the accumulators up. You’d have two – one to use and one to charge and we’d take it to the shoe shop to get it charged up.

I belonged to the South Eastern Road Club. There was a big 12 hour race 5am-5pm. There were time trials and you’d cycle about 200 miles.  Catford Cycle Club used to have a 24 hour road race starting at 5pm.

We’d go to the cinema twice a week and the films changed mid-week.

We’d go to the ABC minor cinema club and you’d go up on stage if it was your birthday and get a gift. You’d have to go every week as they were serial films and you wanted to find out what was going to happen next.

I loved to listen to Dick Barton Special Agent on the wireless – my brother didn’t move when the programme was on.

We went to Rhyl on holiday and I remember sitting in Dad’s motor bike side car.

We lived in Scotland and I can remember Mum ordered a coach and we all went to Ayr to a Butlins camp. We went into the neighbouring farmers field and picked potatoes before going home so that they didn’t spoil.

Entertainment - Meadcroft

There was a lot going on in the 1950’s.

There was Carroll Levis’ Discovery show– one of the original talent shows on the radio for young people.  Sunday morning was Big Bill Campbell country and western music. Mrs Dale’s Diary.

Then there was Radio Luxembourg in the early 50’s – the only place you could get good music after 6 o’clock but you couldn’t always find the channel.

We used to go to Newport Town hall once a month but it was closed due to fire regulations.

We’d go to the Saturday Matinee at the Odeon in Bilston. There were so many children that you had to go in the back door.

I used to read the Bunty magazine, Girls Crystal, the Beano, Roy of the Rovers,  Film Fun, Woman and Women’s Own.

Entertainment - Wellington Library

During the 1950’s a number of orchestras and Opera Companies went on tour which would visit towns close to us like Luton and Watford for example. I usually managed to get a boyfriend to take me there (although they may not have been as keen as I was!) I loved all the popular dance music and used to collect the lyrics.

I used to like reading the Beano, Dandy, Busterm Knock Out comics. I’d go to the library and read the William books,  Biggles, Dr Doolittle and  you could keep them for 2 weeks. Then I read things like Ethel M dell, Agatha Christie  Barbara Cartland and Forever Amber which was a bit risqué! You could also pay a subscription and go to the Boots library.

We used to go to the pictures once at week in London. They were all in black and white. You could spend ages in there on one ticket as there was the main film B film, an interval followed by music played on the organ and the newsreel – one of the main ways of keeping yourself up-to-date with the current news. They’d come round selling chocolate and because lots of people smoked you’d end up watching the screen through a haze of smoke!

Entertainment - Frizes Leasowes 18/5/12

We’d go to the cinema in Doncaster. I remember half way through they’d come round and sprayed because of the smell!

There used to be serial films – you had to go the next week to see the next instalments - usually westerns.

Entertainment - Walton Court

Had to take the accumulator to be charged otherwise you had no radio

First TVs was radio rentals

One lady used to sit with her son and listen to Listen With Mother

TV

·         Woodentops

·         Bill and Ben

·         Muffin the Mule

TV was only on at certain times, then was the potters wheel

Pop Music

·         Billy Fury was my idol

·         Lonnie Donningan

·         Tommy Steele

·         Skittle Groups

·         Helen Shapino

·         Johnny Rae

·         Cliff Richard

·         Jimmy Young

·         Shim Whitman

I worked as an usherette at the cinema in the Town Hall Wellington and my husband was the projectionist

Entertainment - Turnpike Court

TV

·         Spotty dog

·         Roy Rogers

·         Bill and Ben

·         Watch with mother

·         Muffin the mule

All the bands were on the radio at lunch times

Music

·         Guy Mitchell

·         Mitch Miller

·         Hughie Green

Entertainment - Lowe Court

TV

·         Doctor Kildare

·         Muffin the Mule

·         Mr Pastry – real man who did silly stuff

·         Sooty & Sweep

·         Andy Pandy

·         Flowerpot Men

·         Wooden Tops

·         Champion the Wonder horse

·         Billy Bunter

First TV was 9” – in a cabinet

The signal would be lost if you got too near.

Cinema

·         Laurel & Hardy

·         Man in the White Suit

One man went to the pictures only for a special treat because it was four miles away.

One lady remembered the cinema’s in Wellington

·         Clifton

·         Town Hall

·         Grant Theatre