WEB PAGE NO. 2856 11th November 2021

First Picture: Cycle Horn

Second Picture: Ticket Machine

Third Picture: Block signal machine

Forth Picture: London Tram

Sounds of the ‘60’s Not the music that we all followed and loved during our teen age years but the everyday sounds we used to hear around us but do no longer. The sounds of cycle bells and gongs plus the honking of the battery powered cycle horns made by Pifco or the old-fashioned horns with a rubber bulb at the end. Parp, Parp Who remembers the clattering noise of the pedal crank banging against the chainguard when the crank had become a little bent. The raucous ringing of the bumper mounted bells that used to be fitted to the front of Police Cars, Fire Engines and Ambulances The distant sound of the Steam Train whistles and chuffs as they passed through Cosham station Even from outside you could hear Bus Bells when they were rung by the conductor. Also, the whirring sound of the conductor’s ticket machines and the scramble to beg the end of the roll, with the red line through it, from the conductor. We must all remember the sound of fingernails scraped down a Blackboard, I still cringe when I just think of it today. Bells seamed to everywhere, the bells ringing from the block instruments in Cosham Signal box, bell on tills and cash registers, calling bells on counters to call a supervisor. Then there was always the school bell denoting the start and end of the school day, the peel of church bells and many, many more. Every Monday morning at 10.00 during the 1950’s and early 1960’s the old wartime air raid sirens were tested. Our local one was behind Mr Francis’ chip shop. Actually, the Naval Base still tests the nuclear attack warning on a regular bases and this sounds just the same. Even the National Benzol Petrol pumps used to ting away as the petrol was pumped into the car’s petrol tank. Election times drew out the cars and vans with large horn speakers mounted on the roof. Inside sat someone with a microphone who broadcast a message to, “Not Forget to Vote”. When were they phased out? The rattle of the tin as groups of children would crowd round a home made Guy and they would plead “Penny for the Guy”. In Charlotte Street market the area would be flooded with noise as the different barkers shouted out their wares for sale. Fruit, veg, china, blankets, meat and clothing they were all on offer. Having a grandmother who lived in central London I am lucky enough to remember the sound of the London trams. The rattle and clatter as they passed along and the warning bell worked by the driver. The last London tram ran on 6th July 1952. I did not see the last one as it pulled into the Croydon Depot but I must have most certainly seen and heard them in that last week of operation. Then there was the sound of the tramping of feet as the dustman walked into the back garden to collect the dustbin. Then the walk back with the bin on his back and the noise of him banging the bin on the lorry side to remove all the contents. Cars were not so reliable and there was always the sound of someone trying to start their car and the laboured turning over of the engine. If this did not work then it meant fitting the starting handle through the bumper and winding and winding in the nhopes of persuading the thing to start. Stay in touch Peter gsseditor@gmail.com