Talk by Ian Franklin
Following on from previous talks on wartime and immediately post-war topics, Ian brought us forward a little into the 1960’s with his graphic visual and verbal reminders of childhood experiences during the period.
Coming into the world on 12th August 1960 in Kingston Hospital, Ian spent his formative years living at number 195 Manor Grove which is just off the Lower Richmond Road. He recalled that the telephone number at the house, one of the first local authority properties to be built in London, was Prospect 4197. The primary feature immediately behind the row of semi-detached properties was one of three large gasometers which dominated the local architecture for miles around. Following a christening at the local 17th century Barn Church on 9th October 1960, Ian was to live in the same house right through the decade until 1971.
A wealth of home-based entertainment was assured by the family’s acquisition of a television set which was strategically placed to facilitate viewing in the back garden. Most television sets during the period were rented, many from D.E.R. which had been established in 1938 as a single shop in Twickenham. A series of slides illustrated the nature of children’s television programming at the time including The Woodentops which first aired on the BBC in 1955, plus Andy Pandy, Rag, Tag and Bobtail, Tales of the Riverbank voiced by Johney Morris, Harry Corbett’s Sooty, Pinky & Perky, Noggin the Nog, Pogles Wood and Gordon Murray’s Trumptonshire Trilogy. At the time over twelve regional services covered the United Kingdom and therefore programming varied a lot from place to place. Ian went into further detail on particular favourites of his including Pussy Cat Willum and Ollie Beak who once appeared with The Beatles in 1962.
Older children were catered for by such series as The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, The Singing Ringing Tree and of course Doctor Who which first appeared on the BBC on November 21st 1963 and which spawned innumerable toy spin-off’s, still doing so today. Further channels began to begin broadcasting commencing with BBC 2 launching on 21st April 1964, then Thames Television and London Weekend on 27th July 1968.
Entertainment away from home included holiday trips to a Bracklesham Bay Caravan Park adjacent to a nearby Pontins Holiday Park plus Chessington Zoo with it’s many ride-on attractions in addition to the animals. The delights of penny-in-the-slot machines were covered and illustrated; fun in a small family-owned boat moored on the river was also enjoyed. Ian became a member of 6th Richmond Cubs (Lady Archers’ Own).
We were then treated to many images of toys available during the period, Ian recalling a Mobo horse followed by model trains from Hornby and subsequently Tri-ang, Corgi, Dinky, and Matchbox model cars plus figures from Timpo, Britain’s and the like. Coin collecting became a distraction in 1969, with many acquired from John’s Hut antiques emporium in Barnes. Film entertainment could be found at several local cinemas including many now demolished, with the exception of Richmond Odeon. Further memories shared included nearby pre-fab’s along the A316, Watney’s Brewery by the Thames and the delights of goodies acquired from a sweetshop now gone, including Fry’s Five Boys and 5 Centre chocolate plus of course the varied contents of Jamboree Bags.
In all, we were treated to a feast of visual memories accompanied by a very entertaining description of a childhood well-lived. Ian was duly thanked by our president and a number of personal anecdotes were shared before the meeting came to a close.