I was born in 1931 so my childhood memories span the late '30s and through to the '50s (teenage years).
During the war years we girls wore pixie hoods, siren suits and during the winter fleecy lined knickers! I also remember wearing clog-like footwear as I think these required less clothing coupons.
In the '30s our vests were home knitted by our mothers and older sisters, usually with Welsh wool which I think still contained some processing oil which made us itch like mad (we soon gave up wearing them!).
Food was rationed during the war, so we ate what was given to us. I remember rabbit pie, which was a great favourite with our family, and also roast rabbit. Pease pudding of course, bacon bones (or perhaps a shank of ham) boiled with split peas or lentils. Winberry tart, when the berries were in season. These we picked from the local mountain, usually during our summer school holidays. 'Brewes' which was the Welsh name given to a kind of broth, which consisted of nothing but suet, boiled water, bread and seasoning (a breakfast meal for some people).
At the Chemist such remedies as Castor Oil, Camphorated Oil (to be rubbed on the chest to relieve a cold). Also for children (usually) Scott's Emulsion, Slippery Elm and Asafoetida (I think this was a stimulant for shock). Sloanes Linament for aches. My grandmother rubbed goose grease on her chest as a preventative agains colds - it smelled horrible!
Also at the Chemist we would buy our toothpaste in a tin in a tablet-like form called Gibbs' Toothpaste, which tasted like soap! Carbolic soap was very popular. It was used in the bath and also sometimes on our hair. Sassafras Oil was used if nits were found in the hair.
During the war we collected waste paper ('salvage' it was called), this was used for recycling, I think. We also collected rose hips which I imagine were used to make rose hip syrup, for vitamin C, we were informed.
The songs we sang during the war are still well known now. We loved to sing 'Deep in the heart of Texas' (Bing Crosby) and another one was 'Dear hearts and gentle people'. Of course we knew all the sentimental songs of that time by Vera Lynn and Anne Shelton, also of course 'Run rabbit run'.
Our comics, which were in short supply during the war, were Film Fun, Radio Fun, Dandy and Beano and perhaps we'd be lucky to have some American comics if someone had a relation in the USA or Canada.
We listened to Children's Hour on the radio. 'Uncle Mac' was a favourite broadcaster in those days. "Goodnight children everywhere" was his goodbye. On Saturdays, which was our (children's) bath night, we would listen to 'In Town Tonight'. Also on the radio on Sundays we listened to the Palm Court Orchestra. I remember during 1942 there was a programme called 'Time Marches On' mostly, I think, about the progress of the war. 'ITMA' too was a popular programme then.
At Christmas during the war all supplies were scarce. Boxes of handkerchiefs were much appreciated as gifts. The perfume worn was usually 'California Poppy'. On special occasions 'Evening in Paris' was a must. The setting lotion for hair was usually Amami Wave Lotion and Friday night was popular as the night to bath/shampoo and was jokingly referred to as 'Amami Night'!
I remember the Umbrella Man who used to go around the houses to see if any umbrellas needed repairing. Also there used to be a man who occasionally came around to sell small (toy) baskets he had made out of reeds for us girls. They cost 4p each.
We went to Sunday School and 1p was collected each week by the teacher towards our annual outing to the seaside. The Sunday School superintendant wore a 'winged collar' which I thought was very smart.
Children were taught to respect their elders when I was a child, and the mention of a report of misbehaviour to a policeman or headmaster soon calmed a disobedient child.
your comments
Tracey Needham from Chirk
(Lynn Hayward, West Susssex) Hi Lyn, your mother must have been in the workhouse. It is now called Corwen Manor. I think they have a website. It is still there today, selling souvenirs and candle making. There is also a little cafe tucked away in the corner if you ever fancy a visit. The owners are lovely people.
Wed May 27 08:26:21 2009
Lynn Hayward, West Susssex
My mum who died 2 years ago thought that she had been sent to an orphanage in Corwen. This would have been in the early 20s and she was there until the age of 4 or so. Her name was Laura Jones and she had family links in Froncysyllte. Does anyone have any information about this orphanage or workhouse?
Tue Feb 17 09:29:43 2009
Graham Green, Kent and France
Dear Amy, I am indeed Eleanor's son. I well remember the regard that she had for your kindness to her. It was good to know that she was cared for while I was working away or abroad. Please pass my warmest regards to your parents. I do not get to Corwen these days but will remedy that situation in the future. God Bless. Graham Green.
Mon Jan 26 08:13:24 2009
Carol
I have since found that the umbrella mans name was John Cooper, so if anybody can enlighten us with regards to this man, your comments would be most interesing.
Mon Sep 22 08:56:05 2008
Carol Blease, Cleveleys, Lancs.
Looking for the 'umbrella man' on the internet I came across your site. My great-grandfather, Absolem Cooper, was the umbrella man's brother, and we only knew that he was called the umbrella man because he left a small legacy for this brother's children, ie my grandmother and siblings, and other family members. It took over 50 years for his wishes to be carried out, and we do believe that he is buried in the local cemetery, but, unfortunately we do not know is first name, only that he was a Mr Cooper, the umbrella man.
Fri Sep 19 09:11:07 2008
Graham Green
As a child growing up in Corwen I recall an elderly gentleman called Francis le Gay. Does anyone have any information about this gentleman? I only know that he lived opposite my old school (Corwen VP) and that he had been an officer in WWI. I remember my late grandmother always passed the time of day with him and I was always impressed by his old fashioned courtesy.
Mon Aug 18 09:10:21 2008
Dorothy Lake, Acrefair, Wrexham.
I have the A R P bell that was used during the war. From what I remember as a youngster in Corwen, this bell was used on Pen y Pigyn and the hall up on the Berwyn mountain 5 mile from the Pen y Pigyn. I do not know the full history of this bell only the stories that I have been told. I have been in possession of this bell since 1977 after it had been thrown out along with a whole lot of rubbish from the council offices, Corwen.
Thu Aug 14 08:18:04 2008
Earl Williams: North Haven, Ct USA
Corwen will always remain my Welsh home. I have fond memories of my aunties Megan Jones (Visiting Nurse) and her sister Hildah when I would visit. My Taid taught me stories of Owain Glyndwr. I first met Dafydd Iwan at the Pavilion there and later worked with him in the USA. I also work for Ninnau the North American Welsh News out of Baking Ridge, N.J. My Taid worked in Carrog!
Mon Jul 14 08:02:25 2008
Amy
Dear Graham, I'm just wondering if you're Elenor Green's son as we used to live next door to her in Uwch y Dre
Fri Apr 11 08:09:00 2008
Bill Williams, Basking Ridge, N.J., U.S.A.
It takes me back to the stories of my mother who was born in Oswestry but who always told the stories about her grandparent's farm at Pen-y-bont, Carrog.
Wed Oct 17 14:09:27 2007
Pamela Coleman, Northampton
My mother was born on a farm near Corwen and several generations of her family were from the Dee Valley. She used to take me there every year as a child in the 1950's and early 1960's and we always travelled on the stream train from London. I would get so excited when the train steamed up the Dee Valley to Carrog and then on to the next stop Corwen. We stayed with relatives and my auntie lived on the side of the mountain with a wonderful view of the valley and the railway line. I loved it there so much, and my favourite place was Pen y Pigyn overlooking Corwen. As a child I would walk up there quite happily on my own. I remember the little shops in Corwen and my mother always spoke Welsh to the shopkeepers. I was half English and couldn't speak Welsh, but I loved to hear the language and was quite used to listening even though I didn't understand it. Now most of the shopkeepers seem to be English, but I still love going to Corwen and feel it's my second home.
Wed Oct 17 08:15:38 2007
Les Curtis, ex evacuee Liverpool
I have asked several people about brewes, but didn't get an answer that made sense. Nobody seemed to know what it was. I lived in a small village just ten miles along the A5 from Corwen, Cerrigydrudion. I arrived in Cerrig just after the May blitz in 1941, as an evacuee. I lived there for the next 2 years and one of the things I do remember was the breakfast we used to get (specially in the winter) was brewes. It consisted of 1 slice of home made bread cut up into chunks, 1 tablespoon of medium cut oatmeal on top then a big blob of beef dripping, finally with boiling water poured on top. Talk about "stick to your ribs". A simple yet very substantial meal that kept you going for quite a long time, even in the coldest weather. So my interest was aroused when I read the article on the Corwen website by Margaret Jones. Very interesting indeed.
Mon Oct 8 15:06:35 2007
John Jones, Liverpool
My brother was evacuated during the war to my grandparents' house in Glyndyfrdwy & we used to drive up every other weekend in my dad's Standard Ensign motor car. The journey used to take two hours from our house, through the old tunnel along the New Chester Rd, past Camel Lairds, through Chester, over the bridge at Wrexham past the brewery(Wrexham Lager). On past Gresford Colliery where dad would tell us of the great mining disaster before the war.As we passed Ruabon, mum would reminisce how her & dad would speed through the countryside on his Royal Enfield motor bike, him with his leather cap & she with beret & scarf blowing in the wind, dropping down the gears to negotiate the notorious dangerous bend over the canal. My dad would offer a prize to the first one to spot Crow Castle on the approach to Llangollen - followed by a scrap between me & big brother over the result.Past D. R. Llewellyn's surgery (where I later had a fishing hook removed from my finger - that's another story!) over the the old Llan. bridge & joining the A5 which was built by the Romans to link London to Holyhead. Past Vivod (sheep dog trials) through Berwyn past the old toll gate which still had the costs to bring livestock through - penny a pig! I will have to log off now, I will get to Corwen another day.
Thu Jul 5 15:01:42 2007
Christine Martin from Debden, Essex
I have had many holidays near to and in Corwen and I have so enjoyed shopping and sight-seeing there. The greengrocer's shop always had a wonderful selection of produce and always so fresh! The Owain Glyndwr, one particularly memorable Christmas put on a lovely spread for Christmas Day lunch which ran well into the late afternoon, with a Disco run by the youngsters of the Landlord in the evening for anyone who wished to come. It seemed that the whole of Corwen must be there - and everyone was so friendly to an outsider like me!Does the Owain Glyndwr still open for Christmas?
Wed May 2 15:35:42 2007
Richard Langham from London
I hope you don't mind an English guy making a comment. I visit Wales when I can and it's a wonderful place. I was born a bit after Margaret Jones however I do remember some of the items she mentioned, like the Gibbs tin of toothpaste was called 'Gibbs Dentifrice', I think, and came in either a blue or red tin and after you brushed it long enough with your toothbrush you made a hole so you could see the bottom of the tin, like a volcano. Lifebuoy Soap is available from www.lifebuoy.co.uk. And don't forget "Keep Wales Beautiful". Thanks, Richard
Tue Apr 24 08:33:02 2007
Netta Rowlands, Rhosesmor, Mold
We visited Corwen recently to buy a van and found everyone at the garage and the wonderful old fashioned Welsh cafe most helpful when we tried to speak Welsh. It is a beautiful, unspoilt town, with a very handy car park and some lovely shops especially Pink Lizard where you can get anything put on your sweatshirt! Long live Corwen and all that's real Welsh.
Tue Apr 10 09:21:36 2007
Graham Green from Canterbury
Having returned to the Corwen area briefly of late it was good to see so little has changed since my childhood. People have progressed but thankfully not at the expence of the beauty of the area. I have now returned to Kent and will soon be moving to live in France but I will always keep a special place in my heart for my home; Corwen.
Tue Mar 27 15:55:18 2007
Laura Watkins, Rhos
I grew up in Corwen during the 80s and I remember running around all day with friends in Maesafallen and going to the shop next door to my Nain and Taid for penny sweets. I can remember with excitment when they built the new climbing frame at the Park, but mostly I remember the long walks in the hills along the river and down by the old railway. I never had to wear woolly clothes or take caster oil though!
The area around Corwen is so beautiful and you take it for granted. Things have changed since the 1930s, but I can imagine my Nain walking the same paths as I used to when ! she was my age along the river, and it's this we should preserve.
Mon Dec 18 10:53:16 2006
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