The Engineer

Needing a set of AF spanners/sockets before metric was on the scene and maybe Whit/BSF if you go back further. BA for the small/electrical bits.

Fuel tanks that you could syphon with a bit of hose if you didn't mind the occasional mouthful of petrol (don't think I would have wanted to try it with diesel mind you!)

Dynamos and regulators before alternators. Distributors with points/condensers (capacitors) and carburettors before electronic fuel injection. Propshafts under the transmission tunnel and long gear sticks. Cigar lighters (now accessory sockets) and ashtrays. Chromed hubcaps, bumpers and door handles. 8-track players.

Cross ply tyres and inner tubes - the days when you could repair punctures or change your own tyres with a couple of tyre levers.

Telescopic radio aerial on the front wing. You could splash out a bit more and get an electrically operated one.

On obsolete car functions, I recall a foot operated windscreen washer (rubber plunger of sorts) on some cars. I'd almost forgotten that we had manual chokes and being told that it drank about three times as much petrol if you forgot to push it back in when the engine had warmed a little. Those were the days when you could flood the carb through inexperience. Anyone of an age will remember 'static' seat belts before they introduced the 'inertia reel' type as a chargeable option.

Was at a vaccination site yesterday afternoon. The pattern of low demand continued. I counted 30+ NHS staff (vaccinators, nurses, pharmacists, a GP and a few admin), about 10 volunteer stewards and a handful of council staff who run the building. At no point was there a queue; I'd say there were fewer than 10 people jabbed per hour (capacity 96 per hour).

The building on the left of that picture is the magistrates' court (now called the Nottingham Justice Centre as it hosts tribunals as well) and the one on the right is the courthouse for family proceedings. The Bridewell is tucked away behind but its entrance is in the corner between the two court houses.

The Bulwell Church Lane premises (which became computer shop) is covered by Graham; there is a photo. I remember it being built but can't put a date to that.

Graham, I found your article most interesting. If I may add a few comments (and pick up a couple of typos): Page 5 - Bridgeford to read Bridgford Page 10 - Ransome to read Ransom. That location is now Shepherd's Race garage (there is some history around that name). The road on the right with the tram is The Wells Road (continuation of St Ann's Well Road). Page 11 - Would Gorsey Walk (and associated 'gardens') have been off Gorsey Road? Resident map experts might help. Page 20 - The brickwork (original plus bricked up doorway) is Flemish Bond (not English Cross bo

One thing I spotted is that you have to choose between "with ads" and "without ads", with the latter costing a tenner more! There are other (true) Android tablets out there at similar price points but watch out for the amount of memory. The operating system and bloatware that you can't delete can take up quite a chunk of an 8GB tablet. 16 or 32GB gives you more headroom. Also check screen resolution (HD obviously better than standard def).

I haven't had hands-on access to a Fire though I read that they are based on Android but have moved significantly away from the standard Android operating system (to the point where they call it Fire OS). Amazon doesn't like Google so have stripped most of the Google bits out, including the Play Store app (where an Android user can find thousands of free apps). The Fire probably suffices for web browsing (and buying stuff from Amazon of course). It depends what you (or SWMBO) wants it for. https://ebookfriendly.com/amazon-fire-tablet-things-to-know/amp/

The same Ray Holland ran a café on Pelham Street some years later; early 1970s I think. It was near the top, maybe where Wired coffee shop is now (No.42). I remember whitewashing the basement store rooms with my brother and being rewarded with apple pie and ice cream. Any idea what that café was called back in the day?

Those riding after a few sherbets need to be careful. Drink driving law applies (mechanically propelled vehicle). Minimum 12 months disqualification and obvious ramifications when later trying to insure a car.

RR is so right. Spotted a couple of guys working on roof/guttering, etc. of a house across the road. After observing their antics over several days we started referring to them as John and Gary (Wayne and Cooper). They told the neighbours (an elderly couple) that debris had damaged the (plastic) guttering and it all needed replacing. A couple of days after they had done that it rained and the new guttering proceeded to leak at the joints. They jet washed the pitched roof while standing on it (no crawl ladder). I'm no roofer but I do know that a wet roof is more slippy than a dry one!

I know we all like a puzzle but this collaborative detective work is amazing!

BBC Sports site just now: Discussions are ongoing with British Grand Prix bosses about holding the event, scheduled for 18 July at Silverstone, with extra fans.

So the UK govt wants to accelerate the vaccination programme. I was stewarding at a vaccine centre yesterday and the numbers turning up were about a quarter of its capacity. Over 40s can even just walk in, no appointment needed. Under 40s get Pfizer if first jab. If it's 2nd jab they get same as whatever they had first time (AZ or Pfizer).

On 14 May 1995 the school secretary, Mrs Joan Whitehall, 47, was tragically killed while supporting a school canal trip. She was trying to steer a narrow boat around a bend in the Grand Union canal, Birmingham, when she fell into the water and became entangled with the propellor. One of the male teachers dived in but was unable to save her. She was kind-hearted, conscientious and much loved by all the children. It is hard to imagine the effect on the those who witnessed the event.

Walter Halls Primary School caters for Reception up to Year 6 and also has a nursery. It opened in 1939. I was a parent governor there about 30 years ago and quite involved with the PTA.

I agree Lizzie. After what seemed like half a dozen photos, they looped around and repeated. There was a promotion for picturenottingham.co.uk so I guess that's where the photos came from. Easier to go look for oneself (with the bonus of some form of description).

Just happened upon "Paul Robey's Notts Nostalgia" on Notts TV. Showing a few old photos but not particularly identifying what/where they are. It is on now as a repeat but I read that he does a regular Notts Nostalgia slot on Sundays 1200-1500.

Looks like vaccine supply is outstripping demand at the moment, probably because they stopped doing 1st dose during April. Couple of local sites saying next available slot is right now. Four more say tomorrow morning. I am also hearing more cases of 2nd dose being pulled forwards, sometimes by several weeks.

Had the same text yesterday, directing me to a secure website (https) to pay £2.99 shipping cost. Suspected it was a scam as I am not expecting any parcel. Googled the mobile phone number and sure enough, others had reported as scam. On the real RM website they have a section on how to identify dodgy emails and texts - there are many examples of what these look like.

I have heard (from a reliable source) that locally they thought it would be okay to go to 40+ but totally underestimated response so they revised to 50+ within a matter of a few hours. As of now, only four of the ten local sites are showing appointments available. They are going to honour appointments made for the young ones this morning. It remains to be seen whether there is a rise in those declining the jab due to the unfounded scaremongering about AZ and blood clots.