3245 days ago

UK Memories Blog!

Jean from Linwood

Hi Neighbours,

I am currently reading a book called “A 1950s Childhood: From Tin Baths to Bread and Dripping”. I have also read the book “A 1940s Childhood: From Bomb Sites to Children’s Hour”. They have both been written by English authors, so are based on their memories of growing up in England during those years. These books are also recalling wonderful memories for me, growing up in England during those years, covering school, games in the street, i.e. hopscotch, pop stars, ie. Tommy Steele, etc.

When I first came to live in New Zealand, in 1984, I was amazed (and still am!) at how many people in New Zealand write with their left hand, something that I always wanted to do! When I was a lot younger, I used to imagine what it would be like for me to write with my left hand, so I used to stand in front of the mirror and write something with my right hand, and watch myself writing “left handed in the mirror”, and think “I wish I could do that for real! (Isn’t it sad for some people ha! ha!)

So, I thought I would share one of the pages from the 1950s book with you, but especially any neighbours who were brought up in England during these years, from which you will see in the attached page, in the blocked paragraph, what it was like for us if we tried to write with our left hand. I’m sure a lot of English people will remember those days!

I have another book to read like these two above, and that one is called “Pie ‘N’ Mash & Prefabs”; my auntie lived in a pre-fab in Slough, Berkshire, UK, so it should bring back some lovely memories for me.

If there are any English people out there who are interested in these books, I bought them from www.amazon.co.uk.... Also, of course, if any New Zealand neighbours had parents who lived through these years in England, these books would give them an insight into how their parents lived in those years.


In time, I may consider donating these books to Linwood Library, but I want my friend to see them first, as she was born in Heywood, Lancashire

Image
More messages from your neighbours
19 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

Image
4 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

Image
🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
  • 52.1% Human-centred experience and communication
    52.1% Complete
  • 15.1% Critical thinking
    15.1% Complete
  • 30% Resilience and adaptability
    30% Complete
  • 2.9% Other - I will share below!
    2.9% Complete
524 votes
5 days ago

Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?

(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

Image