Sheila D Turton, nee Ryder) was born and bred in Halifax and clearly remembers the post war years.

I ran a concert party performing in nursing homes, at retired police 'do's', in churches, at weddings, funerals and charity events. All monies went to various charities at home and abroad, e.g. Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation, Mind, Laura Crane Trust, and Kirkwood Hospice to name only a few.

Apart from being the soloist and lead singer, I produced and directed the concerts. I also wrote monologues, which have sold around the globe [for charity]. Unfortunately a car accident and arthritis put an end to it all, but the two monologues below are ideal for reminiscing.

MEMORIES. by SHEILA D. TURTON

Can you remember just after the war
When shiny brown lino covered the floor ?
And carpets were lifted and beaten outside
They called it 'spring cleaning', we'd nothing to hide.

There were back-to-back houses
Regimental in rows
And neatly lagged pipes
In case they all froze.

Smoke belching from chimneys
With a lived-in appeal,
Plenty broth in the pan
And a plate of 'cow heel'.

The milkman came round
With a ladle and can
And the only black face
Was on the coal man

Rag bone men were heard
And frequently seen
And the children played 'tig'
On the old village green.

Snow seemed much deeper
And summers were long
And there was plenty of fog
In and among.

You had to darn socks
And turn sheets for the bed
And ' parachute ' dresses
For when they got wed.

Do you remember how
Fire toast tasted
The rich gravy we had
When the meat had been basted?

And newly laid eggs
Were a deep golden yellow
And freshly pulled beer
Was full flavoured and mellow.

There were foxgloves and bluebells
And lupins galore.
Blackberry picking
Till fingers were sore.

Hot apple pies
And crusty new bread.
Those were the delights
On which we were fed.

There was also 'Dick Barton'
And his friend 'Snowy White'
Remember the programme
'In Town Tonight'?

There was 'Life with the Lyons'
And that funny Max Wall.
Remember the phrase
'This IS Henry Hall?'

Do you remember
The old whip and top?
You could buy ANYTHING
At the old corner shop.

Clothes pegs and 'Oxos'
And dolly blue bags.
White stones and Lanry
And rugs made of rags.

We used possers and dolly tubs
And carbolic soap
We pegged out the washing
On pieces of rope.

Remember 'pink corsets'
That were laced at the back ?
Remember seamed stockings ?
To keep straight, was a knack!

The men all wore 'long Johns'
And brown lace up boots,
Brown trilby hats
And thick 'de-mob' suits.

Eh, people were grand
They were so full of life
Considering the world
Was so full of strife.

It's been good looking back
As I opened the door
To those WONDERFUL YEARS
Just after the war.

Sheila D.Turton. Halifax born and bred.

I was asked for a follow up so many times that I wrote another called....

MORE MEMORIES . by SHEILA D. TURTON

Can you also remember
Just after the war
When people shared 'all'
Even though they were poor?

They didn't have credit cards
And nor owned a car ,
For the small weekly wage
Didn't go very far.

A night at the 'pictures'
Was quite an event
A tub of ice cream
And your spend was then spent!

There were heart-throbs and idols
Like the great Errol Flynn.
The 'forces' own sweetheart
Now, Dame Vera Lynn.

Can you also remember
The songs they did sing ?
They ALL had a voice like
'Our Gracie or Bing'

Their pleasures were simple
Their outings were few
But they always found something
That was useful to do.

They knitted and crocheted
And though times were lean
Most people's homes
Had a sewing machine.

Our clothes were well washed
In a tub with a posser.
Not even a hint
Of a house with a washer.

Can you also remember
The old iron 'mangle'?
With two wooden rollers
That you turned with a handle?

They took it in turns
To black lead the grate
It was one of those jobs
That they all used to hate.

There were gas-masks in cupboards
And coupons in books.
Plates slotted in racks
And cups hung on hooks.

'Fennings Fever Cure' powders
Were the cure for ALL ills
And the weekly 'turn out'
Was by 'Beechams Pills' !!

They used 'Friars Balsam'
And a poultice of bread.
And a sniff at the 'smelling salts'
Sure cured a bad head.!!!!!

Goose grease on chests
Used to loosen the cough
And 'Wintergreen Ointment'
Just about saw you off!

Though times were sad
And often quite 'harsh'
We had plenty of laughs
From 'Much Binding in the Marsh '

Kenneth Horne, 'Stinker Murdoch'
Were the pick of the day
Fond musical mem'ries
As we heard, 'Down Your Way'.

There were comedian cousins
Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warris.
There was Dandy and Beano,
'Desperate Dan', 'Hungry Horace'.

There was Rupert the Bear
And Mickey the Mouse
And they all had a 'golliwog'
Round at their house.

Well folks I just hope
That I've brought back a smile
Of events in your life
That were all so worthwhile.

And I hope that you've shared
Perhaps a large part
Of these dear, cherished memories
So close to MY heart.

Sheila D. Turton. Halifax born and bred.