Now when Peter ventured into his loft and brought down the accumulation of 40 years of stored stuff, I doubt he was quite prepared for just what had been “ carefully put away”.
But that is just what most of us do when faced with the need to clear the backroom but unwilling to part with treasures.
In some cases, they will be the product of a collecting enthusiasm, or just that assumption that one day they will become useful again.
That said I challenge him to explain how in the 21st century he will use the contents of the box of “Players’ Weights, Made from PURE VIRGINIA TOBACCO”, or for that matter the packet of blended tea sold by “Yates Brothers, Wine Lodges Ltd”.
But I suppose that is less relevant than just what so many of his treasures tell us about the last century.
So, I was intrigued by that Yates’s tea, and had no idea they sold it.
I remember the lodges as big smoky rooms, filled with people of a certain age, drinking in a place that hadn’t much changed since Victorian times.
And that brings me back to the tea, and that simple question of whether it was sold in the bars, alongside their “Blob”, their wines and their white rum?*
I do remember reading somewhere that they also sold beef, so perhaps an expert will wade in with chapter and verse.
In the meantime, I am equally intrigued by the box of military cap badges, the metal bottle openers, and those testaments to late 20th century gaming, which includes a Nintendo 64, a Commodore Amiga, and the CD Rom of NODDY The Magic of Toytown.
Nor is that all, but some like Peter’s time as a snake keeper and his time with Chorlton Breakers are best left in the shadows.
But I am drawn to the cap badges, partly because of book I wrote on Manchester and the Great War, and partly because each will have a story to tell, and after all stories are what it is all about.**
So, I will be beating a path to Peter’s house to borrow the box and continue the stories.
And when they are done, I shall follow up on the time of the Nintendo 64, Commodore Amiga, The Kodak bellows camera, and the posh leather wallet and newspaper clipping.
Location; Peter’s attic
Pictures; assorted attic history, 2019, from the collection of Peter Topping
Next; Stories from cap badges
*Blob was a mix of sweet Australian wine, and brandy, to which was added hot water, sugar and lemon. The company began in 1884 when they opened their first lodge, and within 20 years had nearly 20 lodges across Lancashire
**Manchester Remembering 1914-18, Andrew Simpson, 2017, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20new%20book%20on%20Manchester%20and%20the%20Great%20War
In some cases, they will be the product of a collecting enthusiasm, or just that assumption that one day they will become useful again.
That said I challenge him to explain how in the 21st century he will use the contents of the box of “Players’ Weights, Made from PURE VIRGINIA TOBACCO”, or for that matter the packet of blended tea sold by “Yates Brothers, Wine Lodges Ltd”.
But I suppose that is less relevant than just what so many of his treasures tell us about the last century.
So, I was intrigued by that Yates’s tea, and had no idea they sold it.
I remember the lodges as big smoky rooms, filled with people of a certain age, drinking in a place that hadn’t much changed since Victorian times.
I do remember reading somewhere that they also sold beef, so perhaps an expert will wade in with chapter and verse.
In the meantime, I am equally intrigued by the box of military cap badges, the metal bottle openers, and those testaments to late 20th century gaming, which includes a Nintendo 64, a Commodore Amiga, and the CD Rom of NODDY The Magic of Toytown.
But I am drawn to the cap badges, partly because of book I wrote on Manchester and the Great War, and partly because each will have a story to tell, and after all stories are what it is all about.**
So, I will be beating a path to Peter’s house to borrow the box and continue the stories.
And when they are done, I shall follow up on the time of the Nintendo 64, Commodore Amiga, The Kodak bellows camera, and the posh leather wallet and newspaper clipping.
Location; Peter’s attic
Pictures; assorted attic history, 2019, from the collection of Peter Topping
*Blob was a mix of sweet Australian wine, and brandy, to which was added hot water, sugar and lemon. The company began in 1884 when they opened their first lodge, and within 20 years had nearly 20 lodges across Lancashire
**Manchester Remembering 1914-18, Andrew Simpson, 2017, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20new%20book%20on%20Manchester%20and%20the%20Great%20War
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