1A Cranbrook Road

This is the first house occupied by the growing family and the house that Christine was born in.    There was a magnificent oak in the space now occupied by the rather unattractive single storey extension.  There was a swing on one of the lower branches.  However, the tree was  too close to the house and the roots began to disturb the foundations.  

 Kitchen -  a step down from the hallway, this  is a  typical  kitchen of the time.   There was no refrigerator so shopping was done regularly and locally.     

Food rationing war time shortages meant food  rationing was  introduced in January 1940 and did not  end until 4 July 1954.    This is a typical week’s ration for one adult. Families were issued with ration books which were stamped when they picked up their shopping.   Milk and bread were delivered initially by horse and cart.

Washing was done in a boiler or by hand, no automatic washing machines.  Synthetic materials had not been invented and clothes and linens were made from natural fibres such as cotton, linen and wool.  Heavy, hot items of washing had to be lifted from the boiler  and put through a wringer to remove excess water.  They then had to be rinsed 2 or 3 times to take out the soap and put through the wring

Recycling - rag and bone men used to ride around the streets, carrying a bell and shouting "rag and bones". They collected old clothes and bits of metal for re-use.

Coal was the main source of heating and coal was delivered first by horse and cart and then by lorry.  Coalmen would carry these big sacks of coal and empty them into coal bunkers.