Brent Goose
Member
Today’s post brought some junk mail for car and home insurance which is probably rather anachronistic in its own right but it then reminded me of when renewal time meant making a series of phone calls to obtain comparative quotes
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Things in living memory which seem very anachronistic now
- Thread starter GordonT
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Or going to a shop!
Killingworth
Established Member
Thinking of insurance I joined the AA (the Automobile Association) in the 1960s when the annual club subscription was 2 Guineas, £2.2s.0d. The RAC cost the same. Both had gone up to at least 3 Guineas before decimalisation in 1971. At the rate inflation was galloping both may have reached 5 Guineas by then.
Modern readers will know both as commercial entities offering insurance products. Back then they were still members clubs with a badge to proudly display on the radiator grille or front bumper. Until the 1950s both had motorcycle and sidecar patrols on the roads. When a patrol spotted their badge on an oncoming vehicle they'd salute.
Possible subject for a new thread?
Modern readers will know both as commercial entities offering insurance products. Back then they were still members clubs with a badge to proudly display on the radiator grille or front bumper. Until the 1950s both had motorcycle and sidecar patrols on the roads. When a patrol spotted their badge on an oncoming vehicle they'd salute.
Possible subject for a new thread?
Dont remember beer, but definitely smoking.
dangie
On Moderation
Reminded me this morning when I saw a young schoolboy passing my house wearing short trousers.
When I was but a lad, all boys wore short trousers to school all year around, summer, winter, autumn, spring. Hot weather, cold weather. No long trousers. Also girls wore skirts or dresses with bare legs. Not sure how much ‘tougher’ it made us, but I can’t actually remember having cold legs.
When I was but a lad, all boys wore short trousers to school all year around, summer, winter, autumn, spring. Hot weather, cold weather. No long trousers. Also girls wore skirts or dresses with bare legs. Not sure how much ‘tougher’ it made us, but I can’t actually remember having cold legs.
Or not..
Things in living memory which seem very anachronistic now
The "SOS Messages" which used to be transmitted on the radio. I can't remember the format completely verbatim but it was along the lines of: "Here is an SOS message. Would Mr Anthony Ponsonby believed to be touring in the Basingstoke area please contact his brother Mr Ernest Ponsonby regarding...
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Acey
Member
- Joined
- 16 Nov 2018
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- 431
I was in for knee surgery and the girlfriend of the chap next bed to me brought in a couple of 4 packs of lager and the nurse asked if we would like a couple of glasses,happy days !
swt_passenger
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2010
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- 34,308
Short trousers were normal in my area until the end of primary (juniors), but as an 11 year old at grammar school it had all but changed by end of ‘66. So although there were a small number in short trousers started in the September, I think by Christmas the very few remaining had persuaded their parents to go with the crowd.
dangie
On Moderation
I was born in 1951. I was one of the last boys in my year to graduate to long trousers, much to the fun and derision from other classmates. I was probably 13-14 years old.
I was born in the same year. Our school photo for my first year at grammar school shows about half the first years in shorts in the first term. Just one boy started the second year in shorts.
trainmania100
Established Member
I can't believe I'm still keeping a drawer full of Chinese and Indian takeaway menus. You'd think in 2025 everywhere would be on just eat etc, with no need for all the flyers. But when I'm ordering i still end up using the menu in the drawer. What's worse is I'm having to pick up the phone, order, and run to the cash point. No cards accepted.
I know some Chinese and Indian takeaways do accept card in store, and some do use just eat, but the majority near me don't.
Heck, I used to message a local Chinese on WhatsApp my order and send the money by bank transfer !
I know some Chinese and Indian takeaways do accept card in store, and some do use just eat, but the majority near me don't.
Heck, I used to message a local Chinese on WhatsApp my order and send the money by bank transfer !
The Indian restaurant that I used to order from has switched from doing deliveries in house to using one of the delivery companies. After two cold meals I stopped ordering
trainmania100
Established Member
I try to collect where possible, even in house the delivery times are ridiculous sometimes over an hour. Obviously in house the driver takes multiple deliveries at once and it depends on their route.
My Indian takeaway prices have remained relatively consistent over the years but Chinese have gone up by 2 pounds per dish since COVID. And still they're not on online platforms. I've chosen an alternative that does have their own online ordering, you'd think these places would get with the times. But it's not like it's affecting their income
Old Yard Dog
Established Member
- Joined
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- 1,824
Gangs of youths, particularly skinheads, hanging about street corners trying to look hard (and usually succeeding). As a student in leafy Didsbury, I used to worry about the walk to the chippy at night.
The kids of today spend their free time glued to their electronic devices.
The kids of today spend their free time glued to their electronic devices.
In a similar vein, packs of inebriated football fans from the UK bent on destroying parts of the municipal infrastructure of mainland European cities appears to be less prevalent than it once was.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
A bit different to recent topics:
Wife and I are on the M4 west; we have just passed an algae-covered Speedlink VAA van on a low loader, going eastwards.
The sight of it has reminded me how dated BR's "Wagonload traffic" freight service now seems.
I recall when it was very much still common on the rails and the sight of Speedlink wagons - including VEAs on the MoD traffic to CoD Bicester - was a regular occurrence for me.
Wife and I are on the M4 west; we have just passed an algae-covered Speedlink VAA van on a low loader, going eastwards.
The sight of it has reminded me how dated BR's "Wagonload traffic" freight service now seems.
I recall when it was very much still common on the rails and the sight of Speedlink wagons - including VEAs on the MoD traffic to CoD Bicester - was a regular occurrence for me.
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Killingworth
Established Member
The pips to warn that your trunk telephone call was going over 3 minutes and extra charges were about to apply.
Back then operators were often necessary so the costs were high except for the bargain evening period - when all lines from xxxx were often engaged as those of us who were away on business were trying to phone home!
Back then operators were often necessary so the costs were high except for the bargain evening period - when all lines from xxxx were often engaged as those of us who were away on business were trying to phone home!
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Probably until about the 1990s or early 2000s would be my guess.
Also, I would say at least until about the 1970s or 80s it would have been considered a social faux-pas for a female to appear in most formal settings wearing trousers instead of a skirt or dress.
dangie
On Moderation
I have pictures taken when I was young back in the 1950's on Blackpool Beach. I was making sandcastles and mum & dad were on deckchairs. Mum was wearing a dress with hat, and dad was in shirt, tie & jacket. However he does have his shoes off with trousers rolled up so he'd obviously been for a paddle
... and a knotted hankie on his head?I have pictures taken when I was young back in the 1950's on Blackpool Beach. I was making sandcastles and mum & dad were on deckchairs. Mum was wearing a dress with hat, and dad was in shirt, tie & jacket. However he does have his shoes off with trousers rolled up so he'd obviously been for a paddle
Hadlow Road
Member
With a hat? Surely de trop, even for Blackpool.... and a knotted hankie on his head?
Brent Goose
Member
Visitors passports which, as I recall, they were made of cardboard and could be bought from a post office.
Valid for a year I think.
Last bought one for a trip to Paris is the mid-1990s. Crossed the channel by Hovercraft!
Valid for a year I think.
Last bought one for a trip to Paris is the mid-1990s. Crossed the channel by Hovercraft!
Very unfortunately, that.
Most recently mentioned in this thread back in September.
During the 1980s, the Beano kept featuring bell pulls against doors even though I literally never seen one of those in person!
Indigo Soup
Established Member
- Joined
- 17 May 2018
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- 1,488
Possibly associated, or possibly not, is the decline of people actually ringing the doorbell when delivering a parcel. My experience is that most choose to knock on the door or rattle the letterbox (ignoring both the traditional doorbell and the video one), and a few just abandon parcels on the doormat without announcing their presence at all.
Supposedly this is because a lot of householders don't actually get notified when their 'smart' doorbell is rung, which seems like a pretty fundamental error on their part.
pitdiver
Established Member
Pickfords Heavy Haulage particularly Scammell Contractors hauling very large loads. Now it's the like of Allelys or ALS