The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

[Deleted User]

Oh so true!!!

fuddle

I was around 9 years old when my mother had to take out the real fire in favour of a gas one. She said it was because they were no longer allowed to burn coal in the area... smokeless zone. Is this true and was it forced on families by government?

As an OSer if I can't afford it, I don't get it. I make do and compromise until I can find a solution... All with grit and determination. Not pressing the button, altering modern expectations, hot water bottles, blankets and layers are that solution for me for now.

All that said, my kids have not to this day had to get ready under their bedding and I don't foresee that anytime soon so I am greatful for 30 minute blasts and insulation.

StressedOutMummy

i used to live with my nan -no double glazing, old fashioned sash windows.Get up with ice on inside of windows and absolutely bloody freezing! So now I have an aversion to cold homes - want warmth all the way.Unfortunately my boiler packed in last year and we could not afford to fix it so we run up an electricity bill of a grand:eek: But LO had to be warm and cosy!

Nargleblast

Now if someone could invent a long thermal vest that looks like a full black satin and lace corset affair I might be interested.

[Deleted User]

Yes it is FUDDLE they made our part of the Medway Towns a smokeless zone and the smokeless fuel was so much more expensive than coal and wood and eventually the parents had a gas fire put in and one in the front room too, it was bliss to be able to be warm in another room in the house on my own sometimes, up till then we'd all been squashed in the tiny living room 10' x 12' for everything, even the television was in there and the table and chairs and the sofa and the pets and all of us!!! but at least we weren't cold!!!

Possession

My grandma (93) still doesn't have central heating. Or double glazing.
Bless her.

[Deleted User]

Someone on one of the other threads has posted they are off to Bingo in the village hall, we have a village hall but no community activities like that, they have keep fit, badminton, indoor bowls and clubs so it is used but nothing to involve the whole village. I know it was a very long time ago but, when I was little I can remember going to Beetle Drives, Whist Drives, sometimes fur and feather ones where the prizes were things like a pheasant or a chicken or a rabbit and Bingo too with my mum, does anywhere still have village activities like those, I remember them being fun and harmless fun for the 0 - 90s all together, it was friendly, Lyn xxx.

shegar

I remember my mother outside swinging the axe everyday throughout the winter , getting a bucket of coal in , and chopping handful of kindling......No heating in the house apart from the coal fire, like most of you remember............

Us girls always went to school in brilliant white socks everyday , we use to come out of school and mother would wash our socks and hang a pair at a time over the hot boiling kettle , and the others laid on the immaculate hearth to dry in front of the fire ,so we had clean socks daily..........

Bath time were very chilly , you didnt hang about in there.....:eek:.....I remember the strikes in the 70 s with electric, they wernt good ole days.......Our parents got through the rough times ..............That sort of life is in most of us on this thread , we never forget how our parents managed back then...........My mother could always make a meal out of very little in the cupboards, you didnt have freezers back then , so if it wernt in the fridge or cupboards it wernt anywhere else.........Thats probaly why I still love good ole jam sandwiches now ....................Still very windy here ....Sheila

StressedOutMummy

Oh Mrs LW , you have reminded me of something. My beloved nan use to be an active member in the British Legion and she always has beetle drives round her house with other members and anyone else who wanted to attend. I wa just a kid but I loved it! It will be the 1st anniversary of her death on Sunday, feel sorry for my aunt whose BD it is tomorrow.

[Deleted User]

Lovely memories SOM, beetle drives are such fun!!

SHEILA maybe we should found the Jam Sandwich appreciation society? Home made Damson Jam in a brown bread sandwich takes a lot of beating, Cheers Lyn xxx.