UK Memories Blog!
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
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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36.5% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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63.5% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
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