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

Toys & Games - Lawndale

We made our own fun

Played hopscotch, top and whip, skipping. A skipping rhyme was Red stockings, blue garters, shoes tied up with silver, red rosette uopn ny breast and a guinea ring on my finger.

Played ball and double ball against a wall.

As soon as you were dressed you went out.

Toy's & Games - Walton Court

One lady remembered playing marbles – called Marley in the Black Country

They played rounder’s on the green

Toys & Games - Turnpike Court

Games

·         Hopscotch

·         Marbles

·         Wooden tops

·         Hula hoops

·         Snakes and ladders

·         Skipping ropes

·         Ludo

·         Draughts

·         Tiddly winks

·          Chess

·         Beetle

·         Kick the can

·         Bun the barrow – jumping on people’s back

·         Hide and seek

We were never in – climbing trees, swings & roundabouts

Used pram wheels for go karts

Beetle – draw the beetle when you threw a certain number on the dice

Used Knitting Nancy’s to make place mats and tea cosies 

Toys & Games - Lowe Court

Games

• Hopscotch
• French Cricket
• Marble
• Top & Whip

Toy & Games - High Mount

·         Hopscotch

·         Leap frog

·         Top & Whip

·         Skipping

o   All in this together girls, never mind the weather girls, when I call your birthday please jump out.

·         Marbles

·         Five Jack

·         Go karts made out of pram wheels and wood

·         Played football with a pig’s bladder full of water