CHILDREN have always managed to find ways to keep themselves amused — especially before the days of computer games.

Our photos and memories of the game piggy elicited a great response from our readers.

Arnold Harrison recalled playing piggy in the early 1940s in the back street of Glen Avenue.

“When required dad would be asked to make a new piggy for us.

“A piece of wood would be found in his shed and it would be produced in 10 minutes,” he says.

But there were other games he says. “We would chalk hopscotch courts on the pavements of Willows Lane and play on our way to and from Brandwood Street School.

“Top and whip was a favourite pastime and mother would supply a leather lace from the mill. You would tie a piece of string to the end and the lace would be fasted to a stick to make your whip. Your top would be chalked in many colours to produce a rainbow effect when spinning around.”

Arnold recalls walking “many miles” along the pavements of Glen Avenue, Greenhill Avenue and Pengwern Avenue “to enjoy the pleasure of freedom and simplicity.

“We would play marbles until the sun went down carrying our treasures in a small bag and hoping we would have them forever.”

When a farm at the rear of Glen Avenue was demolished it gave the children more room to play swing a can, cricket and football.

“When it was the season we would look for horse chestnut trees and conkers. “These would be taken home to be soaked in vinegar and put into a drawer to become dry and ready for action.”

During break time at Brandwood Street School Arnold, who now lives in Little Hulton, and his pals would play various games including paper, stone, scissors and finger, thumb and icky (otherwise known as riderkench) as well as various skipping games.