~Congratulations if you were born before the early 70s!

[HeyWayne]

One year, around Christmas - myself and four fellow chums found an old discarded Mk1 Cavalier bonnet lying about, as you do. It made a great sledge turned upside down, one of us on each corner. Two at the front steering, two at the back on brakes.

[zebedee]

I remember we used to go down to Sandown Pier, and when the pleasure boats pulled away, us kids used to jump into the wash just behind the propellors and get tumbled all over the place, It makes me go cold to think about it now!

[Brengirl]

It's good to reflect and remember the good times we all had. The anecdotes will be embellished with each recall.
I was born before 2nd world war. I was an only child and life was full. The war brought so many changes to my idyllic life style but, being still a child, they were accepted as the norm. I too remember the good times and the freedom we all enjoyed but I also try to forget the poverty, and abject misery of the air raids and ensuing loss of lives. We, as a family, were thankfully survivors but I do still bear the scars.
Regard the past as your training ground and the future for realilty.

[Bren In Pots]

LOL My poor dad was reduced to making go-carts for girls - I only have sisters We called them 'bogeys' though, and they were always made with Silver-Cross pram wheels They never had an engine though...

I wonder if the decline in go-carts/trolley building has anything to do with prams and pushchairs not having proper wheels these days.

[snuffer]

I was born in the sixties. What I remember most is the freedom to just go out and play. Didn't give a jot about fashion (still don't) our clothes kept us warm and dry. We had a great time getting them dirty and making holes in them.

When I was about 10 or 11 I had a Raliegh Chopper ( made just down the road in Nottingham, not China). Every Saturday we would all get our bikes out and just dissappear for hours on end.

[Glutton4...]

I wonder if the decline in go-carts/trolley building has anything to do with prams and pushchairs not having proper wheels these days.

More likely due to the invention of the Playstation and its rivals, I reckon!

[Bigmallly]

I've still got bruises from those damned "Clackers".........Ouch.........

[FionaH]

When I was about 10 or 11 I had a Raliegh Chopper ( made just down the road in Nottingham, not China). Every Saturday we would all get our bikes out and just dissappear for hours on end.

I had a yellow one, I LOVED that bike

I've still got bruises from those damned "Clackers".........Ouch.........

My Mum hid mine she said they were lost. I found them in the broom cupboard They disappeared for good shortly after that.

[Snadger]

Just reminiscing...........we were poor, did everything as mentioned on other posts, retrospectively though we didn't feel poor, we were very,very happy as everyone in the street was in the same boat!

[Bigmallly]

Just reminiscing...........we were poor, did everything as mentioned on other posts, retrospectively though we didn't feel poor, we were very,very happy as everyone in the street was in the same boat!

I think that was the secret. There was not as much competition in those days.

[binley100]

I've still got bruises from those damned "Clackers".........Ouch.........

They were banned at our school 'cos we were told they'd give us bone cancer

[jackie j]

Born in the mid 50's. We were allowed to go most places on our own, mum caught me once on the top of the big wheel on my own aged 6 or 7 wont go anywhere near any big rides now after being frightend on one as a teenager. We spent all day on the beach, mum would come and sit with us for an hour or so if she could, gave us bus fare and we would buy chips and walk home.
I had a pink crimpolene two piece suit and thought I was the bees knees in it esp when I wore red tights with it. I didnt wear much make up as a teenager and still dont.
My bike was very old as it was second hand when my eldest sister had it. Dad died when I was six and Mum brought three girls up on her own, we didnt have much but what we did have was love. We didnt have a phone or a car we bussed or walked everywhere, now our kids get picked up and dropped off where ever they go, we make sure they have mobile phones and tell them off if we cant contact them.
We played hopscotch in the road as well as skipping games. We had fun.

[OllieMartin]

"Things were better when they were worse" - Barry Schwartz - The Paradox of Choice

[annacruachan]

It's good to reflect and remember the good times we all had. The anecdotes will be embellished with each recall.
I was born before 2nd world war. I was an only child and life was full. The war brought so many changes to my idyllic life style but, being still a child, they were accepted as the norm. I too remember the good times and the freedom we all enjoyed but I also try to forget the poverty, and abject misery of the air raids and ensuing loss of lives. We, as a family, were thankfully survivors but I do still bear the scars.
Regard the past as your training ground and the future for realilty.

Wise words, Brengirl. I too was born before WW2, though only 10 months before. To my generation the war was exciting, particularly I suppose because we lived in the country and only occasionally got bombed. The richness of a country upbringing is never lost and I am so grateful for that.

[Bigmallly]

I don't think I would want to be a child growing up in todays age........Too much violence or threats of violence.