Jill Sparrow

My dad's parents moved to Stapleford, near Pasture Lane, in the mid to late 60s. I remember going to see them. Can't recall an off licence but remember The Man of Iron pub where dad and his father occasionally went for a drink. It's still there. I pass occasionally and the area doesn't look so very different from all those years ago.

Sadly, some people are not fit to have cats...or any pets. They do not realise the responsibility it involves. The cost of buying flea treatment, the cost of veterinary treatment, etc, isn't cheap but if you take on a pet, it is your responsibility to cover these costs. My friends who run cat rescue are very familiar with people who turn up with cats and tell the most outrageous lies about why they can't keep them. The real reason is because they've acquired a dog or a child and...as for people who allow their pets to breed unchecked...dont get me started on that one! P

Like Jonab's mum, mine bought a pack of those cupcakes with the solid chocolate topping, around 1965. They were mouldy when opened. She took them back but refused a replacement pack and, for the rest of her life, avoided them if they were offered when we went out for tea! She had a similar experience with a Fray Bentos pie in a tin around the same time!

That's no way to talk to absentees. Cliff Ton, NBL and the rest of you who've been AWOL for too long, get back on here, at once, immediately and without delay, or else.....we'll send Ben round in his liberty bodice!

Don't let it put you off eating cakes!!

Certainly, Carni, report it. The whole batch should be withdrawn. Could cause someone to choke! Hope you didn't actually swallow any!

Every ten years or so, as and when needed, I reupholster my Victorian chairs, using matching fabric. They will last forever. Once tried to put olde English, black & white webbing and 8 guage springs on a modern chair frame. Wouldn't take the tension. It split the timber! DFS rubbish!

I'm renovating my parents' old dining suite. I went with them to choose it in 1965. I wanted a different one but they had their choice...well, I was only 7 at the time! They chose an oval gateleg table and wheelback chairs. I wanted a refectory table and ladderback chairs. I've always liked it but it was starting to look a bit tired so a bit of cleaning, sanding, staining and waxing has made it look a lot better. 1965 is probably the most recent date for any piece of furniture in my house, apart from white goods. You can keep your latest biscuit jointed cr*p. The old

Mary, my auntie who is 89, was telling me about the new crem. She said it was on either Catfoot or Spring Lane in Lambley....can't remember which. That is where she has decided to have her funeral when needed.

I knew Nonna would know!

If I can't sleep, I play word games. I have to find, for example, a poet, an author, a composer, a pianist, etc for each letter of the alphabet. If that's too easy, I have to find five! Doesn't usually take me long to fall asleep! Zzzzzzz

That sounds delightful, jonab! A cherished memory.

Brings back memories. I lived there for 13 years!

Is that two cakes, nonna?

I have a damson tree in the garden and give the fruit to a friend who makes damson gin. I like neither damsons nor gin. When the damsons have done their stuff with the gin, she makes alcoholic damson jam with them! Waste not, want not!

If there's a party, Rog, you'll be invited...as long as you bring that drizzle cake! Have to fight Carni off though!

I'm told that it's also one of the most effective spermicides ever invented. Given the number of people who imbibe it, you'd think the world population would be declining. Sadly, not!

It's to cover the costs of replacing the pipework every month!

There is a rumour that he had six hands and four feet!

I don't drink coca cola either, Rod. Lethal stuff! Even rots the pipes at the bottling plant! It's good for dissolving superglue though!

You don't know what you're missing, Rod!

I always think that cheese and wine go well together. Both products of a fermentation process. I suppose cheese and wine evenings have gone out of fashion...temporarily. Like most things, they'll be back when someone thinks they've discovered something new!

I remember my father making his own beer when I was a child. After the fermenting process was over, he'd spread the hops on the garden and then dig them in. One autumn, he made some marrow wine. I remember the marrow hanging up in the kitchen. Obviously, I didn't sample the results but dad was ill after a couple of glasses...it was so potent! He never made any more. The wine makers in our family were Emily and George Ward at number 4 Garden Street. Both originating from farming families, they scoured the hedgerows for wine making materials. Their elderberry was excellent, apart fr

I'll bet J S Bach did!

Eastwood branch. Just as I remember it.