Jill Sparrow

There's another organised display near me tonight. The moggies will be hiding again! Hope it won't last too long!

#60 Keep going and you'll get crowned!

Yes, my grandfather, born 1883, used to say the 10 o'clock horses would come and get me if I didn't go to bed! He well remembered the night soil men. I wasn't scared of them but I was petrified of Wee Willie Winkie!

Ben, you were wasted at Marsden's. You should have been in the diplomatic service!

First impressions count! You get roughly fifteen seconds to make an impression on your potential employer at an interview, so it is said. If they don't like the way you look, you probably might as well go home! At the end of the day, we are animals and it is hardwired into us to reject and avoid those who look, sound and smell as though they might be a threat to us. Looking smart at least gives the impression that you know what you're doing and are likely to take a pride in your work, says she who has just got a new job...must have done summat right! As ever

I'm pleased I mentioned Firbeck in the little composition I posted on here last week. His name fitted in nicely.

#247 All I can find is reference to Crestona Foods and Frizettes. Don't recognise the manufacturer. I think dad used to buy it from Burton's of Smithy Row. He was always in there!

#245 I've got the name Frizettes in my head and it was made by a company whose name also began with an F. I think they were a relic of WW2.

I've just remembered something else we used to have when I was little. It came in a tin and was in powder form until mixed with water which made a pink paste. It was then fried in a pan and was some sort of fritter. Tasted quite unusual. Must have had some tomato in it. Can't remember what it was called. My sister loved it. Anyone know what I'm on about, because I don't! Help, Ben!

#242 I was a bit apprehensive about mentioning it, Ben, as thought perhaps Marsden's was a bit too high class to stock tinned steak & kidney pies/puds or common corned beef!

#240 Do you mean Fray Bentos? There was some kind of a scare about Fray Bentos tinned foods during the early 60s. Can't remember exactly what it was but I think some had been contaminated. Ever afterwards, my mother would have no truck with the Fray Bentos label! Ben can probably remember the details because a lot of people stopped buying them.

#238 Thank you Freckles! I knew we weren't the only ones who didn't have it with moutard, like the posh folks!

# 61 Wise decision!

#59 A trainee accountant, FLY? I had an uncle who was an accountant and he was absolutely lovely. Sadly, he died very young. I've met quite a lot of other accountants, via work and socially, and can honestly say they were without a doubt some of the most boring, unimaginative, dreary souls I've ever encountered anywhere. DISCLAIMER: This is merely the worthless opinion of an allegedly highly intelligent but sad individual who has absolutely no evidence or statistics to back it up (you'll be relieved to hear)!

It just goes to show that you never know how long you've got so the best thing is to make the most of it, enjoy yourself and see the funny side. Sentiments with which I hope Firbeck would agree.

#234 Wonder if he told a porkie pie about why he was late?

#4 You can't over emphasize the importance of taking life with a pinch of salt. It's essential if you don't want to be stressed out, frustrated and bitter!

#53 All this and a liberty bodice too! What more could the ladies want in a gentleman's sartorial elegance. After all, he's top drawer, you know...he told us so in Cribs, Cots or Pods!

#50 Sounds like my sort of place, Ben! Did you wear a straw boater with a band round it?

This is tragic, if true. He'd just met up again with his lady friend from years ago and was really enjoying life. Bless you, Firbeck. You'll be remembered.

#48 Some of their smoked salmon isn't bad and fruit and veg can be ok but it does vary. Personally, I don't like veg and fruit packaged in plastic. Prefer to see it loose, so tend to buy from either a good market stall or Greengrocery shop. Some years ago, Aldi had some decent wines. Don't know about now, as I've been a member of a wine club for a few years and purchase through that. If there was a Marsden's locally, I'd shop there. I believe one of our members used to work there...or have I got that wrong?

There were a lot of things in kit form, ie everything you needed to make the product pictured on the box, in the 60s. I remember Promise, lemon meringue pie. Think they did other desserts as well. Birds trifle kits etc. Probably full of the now banned hydrogenated fats! Smash dried potato and Marvel milk was, I suppose, only like the stuff available during the war. Don't remember seeing any powdered egg though.

#225 Gerraway, Ben! Ya never! My father always ordered the Christmas pork pie from somewhere on Denman Street, at least until 1964, as mum, my sister and I always went to visit our relatives in Garden Street on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. There'd be home made elderberry wine, mince pies etc and then dad would arrive, having broken up from work for Christmas. He'd collected the pie and whatever he'd ordered for Christmas dinner on the way. He was very particular about his pork pies! Then we'd walk home together in the dusk, over the cobbled streets. Very

Can't see our Ben in Aldi, somehow.

#215 I've heard of Branston's but not Bramwells. Is it new? I take it Marsden's didn't stock it, with them having only high class stuff....and staff!