I am from a farming background and one of six brothers. At the moment, one of my brothers is visiting England for the first time in 30 years, and we were reminiscing about our time at school. All my brothers were constantly in trouble with the teachers and on one occasion, my youngest brother thought it was a clever idea to catch some mice and take them to school, zipped in his inside pocket. Of course, the inevitable happened and they all escaped. About two days later I was sat in class and Miss Royle, our lady teacher, opened her desk and screamed. Two mice popped out and disappeared behind a cupboard. The trouble was, they had chewed through paperwork in her desk. Although it wasn’t me, one of the class pointed a finger in my direction and I was sent to the headmaster’s office to be caned. I did not tell him it was my little brother but took the rap – we all stuck together me and my brothers. Mr. Smelt, the headteacher, once told my mum if he hit one of us (and that was regularly!) we would all cry.
Being quite poor because we only had a small holding and not a big productive farm, we used to make money however we could. This included selling for a few pennies anything we could catch including wild newts, frogs, toads, and of course wild birds. See this was in the 1950’s and was the norm in those days – we all know better now. One by one, my five brothers emigrated to Canada where they have all thrived.
The antique shop is doing quite well, although it has been quiet since Christmas. I recently bought a large collection of First World War Trench Art. Because the soldiers spent quite a bit of time between battles without much to do, they would fashion items like used shell cases making all manner of decorative articles including tobacco humidors, and vases which are often inscribed with battle fields such as the Somme and the dates. A recurring theme are ornately engraved flowers – I believe because all they could see was barren landscapes they would engrave flowers and birds to remind them of home. A small industry also sprung up making beautiful silk postcards for the soldiers to send home to their mothers, wives, and sweethearts.
I sometimes have a tear in my eye when I read these cards and think of the poor soldiers who never made it back home.
If you have any 1st or 2nd World War memorabilia which you want to part with, I am always willing to buy these items, although I would always suggest offering them to family first.
I am looking for new stock of all kinds so give me a call.
Please see advert below for contact details and opening times.
