Do we really remember the way things were In the 'good old days' of yore?

When the gas-mantle spluttered as pennies ran out, and we sanded the kitchen floor,

When the pipes froze solid on cold winter nights in our lavatory way down the yard,

If you told your man it was too cold to go, you got a clip, and "Don't be so mard!"

When rattling trams shook your bones to dust, and you counted the cars on one hand.

When smoke from the chimneys cut out the sun, and a day out to Blackpool was grand

Later, ration-books went to the old corner shop, which had so very little to choose,

While meat coupons stayed at one butcher's place, and the baker would count our B U's

When a stainless steel sink was a futurist dream, the old 'slop-stone' on bricks did the job,

With a single brass tap that was polished with pride, and a hot-water kettle on 'th'ob'.

When the glowing coal-fire in the black-leaded grate cast shadows on fender and rug

Then the 'elbow-grease' needed to make that grate gleam made the living-room cosy and snug

The 'way we were' may appear nostalgic and warm, and the memories are with us to stay

But for all of its faults today offers so much - put that old picture album away! E Holt, Quakerfields, Westhoughton

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.