A Life Well Lived

Have you lived through any wars?

Bomb site adventure playground

I was born in January 1943 two and a half year before the end of WW2. I have no memories of being a “war baby “ but was often addressed as such.  Post war, bomb sites were a plethora, and I can picture the beauty of Rose Bay Willow Herbs growing in huge swathes around Pudsey. Food was of course still rationed, as was the need for coupons to buy shoes and clothes. I wore wooden clogs as a child, graduating to shoes that were constantly upgraded by my mother a) repairing the soles with off cuts of leather from Hanleys tannery, a mouth full of tacks and the kitchen knife. I recall the agony of “ having a nail up” when Mum had been a little bit vigorous with the hammer and the tacks had come through to the inside … ouch! b) Mother creating “ peep toed” shoes for me when I’d had a growth spurt and I was not next on the list for new shoes. ( She simply cut a hole in the front of my shoe with the trusty kitchen knife and let my toe poke through.Cold but less painful than too small shoes!) Mother made all our clothes and my big sisters knitted the cardigans and jumpers for us little ones. Mum could not knit but she was a really fine crocheter.

Binmen

Knife Sharpener